DIAPHRAGM


Meaning of DIAPHRAGM in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈdī-ə-ˌfram ]

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 ˌdī-ə-frə(g)-ˈma-tik, -ˌfrag- adjective

• di·a·phrag·mat·i·cal·ly -ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē adverb

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.