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Definition of diaphragm


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di·a·phragm  audio  (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)


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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