Definition of diaphragm

acrimonious Definition: (adjective) biting, harsh, caustic. Petersons.com

Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page: About My Yahoo! and RSS »

Email this page to a friend

< diaphoretic

diaphysis >

di·a·phragm    (d-frm) KEY  

NOUN:

1. Anatomy A muscular membranous partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities and functioning in respiration. Also called midriff .
2. A membranous part that divides or separates.
3. A thin disk, especially in a microphone or telephone receiver, that vibrates in response to sound waves to produce electric signals, or that vibrates in response to electric signals to produce sound waves.
4. A contraceptive device consisting of a thin flexible disk, usually made of rubber, that is designed to cover the uterine cervix to prevent the entry of sperm during sexual intercourse.
5. A disk having a fixed or variable opening used to restrict the amount of light traversing a lens or optical system.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English diafragma, from Late Latin diaphragma, midriff, from Greek, partition, from diaphrassein, to barricade : dia-, intensive pref. ; see dia- + phrassein , phrag-, to enclose

OTHER FORMS:
dia·phrag·matic   (-frg-mtk) KEY  (Adjective), dia·phrag·mati·cal·ly (Adverb)

Visit our partner's site

	Provided by Houghton Mifflin eReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer

Search Dictionary:

More on Yahoo! Education

• Online and On-Campus Degree Programs     MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More  • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide     College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search