diaphragm

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Translations

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

From Ancient Greek διάφραγμα (diáphragma), “‘partition’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdaɪəˌfræm/, SAMPA: /"daI@%fr{m/

[edit] Noun

diaphragm (plural diaphragms)

1. (anatomy) In mammals, a sheet of muscle separating the thorax from the abdomen, contracted and relaxed in respiration to draw air into and expel air from the lungs; also called thoracic diaphragm.
2. (anatomy) Any of various membranes or sheets of muscle or ligament which separate one cavity from another.
3. A contraceptive device consisting of a flexible cup, used to cover the cervix during intercourse.
4. (mechanics) A flexible membrane separating two chambers and fixed around its periphery that distends into one or other chamber depending on the as the difference in the pressure in the chambers varies.
5. (acoustics) In a speaker, the thin, semi-rigid membrane which vibrates to produce sound.
6. (optics, photography) A thin opaque structure with a central aperture, used to limit the passage of light into a camera or similar device.
7. (chemistry) A permeable or semipermeable membrane
   • 1921, Wilder Dwight Bancroft, Applied Colloid Chemistry: General Theory^[1], page 207:

     The mass of liquid transported through a porous diaphragm in a given time is directly proportional to the current.

8. (construction) A floor slab, metal wall panel, roof panel or the like, havig a sufficiently large in-plane shear stiffness and sufficient strength to transmit horizontal forces to resisting systems.

The thoracic diaphragm.

A contraceptive diaphragm.

A mechanical diaphragm.

An acoustic diaphragm.

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to diaphragm (third-person singular simple present diaphragms, present participle diaphragming, simple past and past participle diaphragmed)

1. (optics, photography) To reduce lens aperture using an optical diaphragm.
   • 1870, D. Appleton & Co., Appletons' Annual Cyclopædia and Register of Important Events of the Year 1869^[2], page 43:

     He employs an equatorial with an object-glass having a focal length of five metres, and which was diaphragmed down to eight centimetres.

2. To act as a diaphragm, for example by vibrating.
   • 1996, Tom Drozda et al., Tool and Manufacturing Engineers Handbook, vol. VIII: Plastic Part Manufacturing^[3], ISBN 0872630854, page 16-24:

     The holes and burning are caused by the part diaphragming at 20000-40000 cycles/second.

[edit] Translations