dis-, di-, dif-
(Latin: separation, apart, asunder; removal, away, from; negation, deprivation, undoing, reversal, utterly, completely; in different directions)
The meaning of dis- varies with different words; dif-, assimilated form of dis- before f; di-, form of dis- before b, d, g, l, m, n, r, and v.
diffidently (adverb), more diffidently, most diffidently
A reference to having distrust in one's self: Henry diffidently asked Rena, his neighbor, about her family problems because he didn't want her to think he was prying into her personal affairs.
diffluent
1. Tending to flow off or away.
2. Easily dissolving.
3. Flowing away on all sides; not fixed.
2. Easily dissolving.
3. Flowing away on all sides; not fixed.
difform
difformity
diffract (verb), diffracts; diffracted; diffracting
To undergo or cause to experience the bending and scattering of wavelengths of light or other radiation as it passes around obstacles or through narrow slits.
1. Any redistribution in space of the intensity of waves that results from the presence of an object causing variations of either the amplitude or phase of the waves: Diffraction is a phenomenon of all electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves; microwaves; infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light; and
X-rays.
2. Etymology: from French diffraction or directly from Modern Latin diffractionem, diffractio, a noun of action from the past participle stem of Latin diffringere, "to break in pieces"; from dis-, "apart" + frangere, "to break".
2. Etymology: from French diffraction or directly from Modern Latin diffractionem, diffractio, a noun of action from the past participle stem of Latin diffringere, "to break in pieces"; from dis-, "apart" + frangere, "to break".
diffractive (adjective), more diffractive, most diffractive
Referring to something that undergoes or causes something to undergo a process by which a beam of light or other system of waves are spread out as a result of passing through a narrow opening or across an edge, typically accompanied by interference between the waveforms that are produced.
diffractively (adverb), more diffractively, most diffractively
A reference to the bending of waves; especially, sound and light waves, around obstacles in their path.
diffuse (verb), diffuses; diffused; diffusing
1. To scatter something over an area, or to become scattered over an area.
2. To make something, especially light, less bright or intense, or become less bright or intense.
2. To make something, especially light, less bright or intense, or become less bright or intense.
diffuse (adjective), more diffuse, most diffuse
1. A reference to something that is spread out over a large area and which is not concentrated or focused in one space: The diffuse university has been emphasizing a liberal arts education and not just being focused on technology.
2. Pertaining to a lack of conciseness, clarity, or understanding: The man presented a diffuse argument as to how he lost control of his car and ran off the road while he was driving home.
3. Etymology: from Latin diffusum, "poured forth"; from dis-, "away" + fundere, "to pour".
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2. Pertaining to a lack of conciseness, clarity, or understanding: The man presented a diffuse argument as to how he lost control of his car and ran off the road while he was driving home.
3. Etymology: from Latin diffusum, "poured forth"; from dis-, "away" + fundere, "to pour".
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diffusedly (adverb), more diffusedly, most diffusedly
With wide dispersion, spread abroad, flowing, or being loose.
The state or condition of being widely spread.
diffusely (adverb), more diffusely, most diffusely
1. Becoming widely spread; such as, through a membrane or fluid.
2. Characterized by not being definitely limited or localized.
2. Characterized by not being definitely limited or localized.
1. A piece of translucent or reflective material fixed to a light source; such as, a lamp in order to soften or to spread the light over a wide area.
2. A cloth screen, piece of frosted glass, or other material that is used to soften the brightness of the lighting in photography or cinematography.
3. A device; for example, a cone or wedge, fixed inside a loudspeaker to diffuse sound waves.
4. A flow passage in a wind tunnel that decelerates a stream of gas or liquid from a high to a low velocity.
2. A cloth screen, piece of frosted glass, or other material that is used to soften the brightness of the lighting in photography or cinematography.
3. A device; for example, a cone or wedge, fixed inside a loudspeaker to diffuse sound waves.
4. A flow passage in a wind tunnel that decelerates a stream of gas or liquid from a high to a low velocity.
diffusible (adjective), more diffusible, most diffusible
1. Capable of flowing or spreading in all directions; or that which may be diffused.
2. Capable of passing through animal membranes by osmosis.
2. Capable of passing through animal membranes by osmosis.
