adjective , verb
■ adjective / dɪˈfjuːs; NAmE /
1.
spread over a wide area :
diffuse light
a diffuse community
2.
not clear or easy to understand; using a lot of words :
a diffuse style of writing
► dif·fuse·ly adverb
► dif·fuse·ness noun [ U ]
■ verb / dɪˈfjuːz/
1.
( formal ) to spread sth or become spread widely in all directions :
[ vn ]
The problem is how to diffuse power without creating anarchy.
[ v ]
Technologies diffuse rapidly.
2.
[ v , vn ] ( technical ) if a gas or liquid diffuses or is diffused in a substance, it becomes slowly mixed with that substance
3.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to make light shine less brightly by spreading it in many directions :
The moon was fuller than the night before, but the light was diffused by cloud.
► dif·fu·sion / dɪˈfjuːʒn; NAmE / noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin diffus- poured out, from the verb diffundere , from dis- away + fundere pour; the adjective via French diffus or Latin diffusus extensive, from diffundere .