1
[ verb ] cause to become widely known

Examples

"spread information" "circulate a rumor" "broadcast the news"

Used in print

(Perry Miller "Theodore Parker: Apostasy within Liberalism"...)

Even_so , Gannett judiciously argued , the Association could legitimately decide that Parker `` should not be encouraged nor assisted in diffusing his opinions by those who differ from him in regard_to their correctness '' .

2
[ verb ] move outward

Examples

"The soldiers fanned out"

Used in print

(Jacob Robbins et al., "The thyroid-stimulating...)

The thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine released by proteolysis and so escaping de-iodination presumably diffuse into the blood_stream .

3
[ adjective ] spread out; not concentrated in one place

Examples

"a large diffuse organization"

Used in print

(J. W. C. Hagstrom et al., "Debilitating muscular...)

At this time a detailed neuromuscular examination revealed diffuse muscle atrophy that was moderate in the hands and feet , but more marked in the shoulders , hips , and pelvic_girdle , with hypoactive deep tendon reflexes .

Related terms

distributed

4
[ verb ] spread or diffuse through

Examples

"An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration" "music penetrated the entire building"

Used in print

(LeRoy Fothergill, "Biological Warfare", in Peter...)

moreover , diffuses through structures in much the same manner as a gas .

5
[ adjective ] lacking conciseness

Examples

"a diffuse historical novel"

Related terms

prolix

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