n.
Pronunciation: ' d ī - ə - ˌ fram
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English diafragma, from Late Latin diaphragma, from Greek, from diaphrassein to barricade, from dia- + phrassein to enclose
Date: 14th century
1 : a body partition of muscle and connective tissue specifically : the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals
2 : a dividing membrane or thin partition especially in a tube
3 a : a more or less rigid partition in the body or shell of an invertebrate b : a transverse septum in a plant stem
4 : a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system ― compare IRIS DIAPHRAGM
5 : a thin flexible disk (as in a microphone or loudspeaker) that vibrates when struck by sound waves or that vibrates to generate sound waves
6 : a molded cap usually of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier
– di · a · phrag · mat · ic \ ˌ d ī - ə -fr ə (g)- ' ma-tik, - ˌ frag- \ adjective
– di · a · phrag · mat · i · cal · ly \ - ' ma-ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb