diaphragm

English

/ˈdaɪəˌfɹæm/

noun
Definitions
  • (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.
  • (anatomy) Any of various membranes or sheets of muscle or ligament which separate one cavity from another.
  • A contraceptive device consisting of a flexible cup, used to cover the cervix during intercourse.
  • (mechanics) A flexible membrane separating two chambers and fixed around its periphery that distends into one or other chamber as the difference in the pressure in the chambers varies.
  • (acoustics) In a speaker, the thin, semi-rigid membrane which vibrates to produce sound.
  • (optics) A thin opaque structure with a central aperture, used to limit the passage of light into a camera or similar device.
  • (chemistry) A permeable or semipermeable membrane.
  • (construction) A floor slab, metal wall panel, roof panel or the like, having a sufficiently large in-plane shear stiffness and sufficient strength to transmit horizontal forces to resisting systems.

Etymology

Derived from Ancient Greek διάφραγμα (partition, later, barrier, diaphragm, partition-wall).

Origin

Ancient Greek

διάφραγμα

Gloss

partition, later, barrier, diaphragm, partition-wall

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms