4 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Diffuse \Dif*fuse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diffused}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Diffusing}.] [L. diffusus, p. p. of diffundere to
pour out, to diffuse; dif- = dis- + fundere to pour. See
{Fuse} to melt.]
To pour out and cause to spread, as a fluid; to cause to flow
on all sides; to send out, or extend, in all directions; to
spread; to circulate; to disseminate; to scatter; as to
diffuse information.
Thence diffuse His good to worlds and ages infinite.
--Milton.
We find this knowledge diffused among all civilized
nations. --Whewell.
Syn: To expand; spread; circulate; extend; scatter; disperse;
publish; proclaim.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Diffuse \Dif*fuse"\, v. i.
To pass by spreading every way, to diffuse itself.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Diffuse \Dif*fuse"\, a. [L. diffusus, p. p.]
Poured out; widely spread; not restrained; copious; full;
esp., of style, opposed to {concise} or {terse}; verbose;
prolix; as, a diffuse style; a diffuse writer.
A diffuse and various knowledge of divine and human
things. --Milton.
Syn: Prolix; verbose; wide; copious; full. See {Prolix}.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
diffuse
adj 1: spread out; not concentrated in one place; "a large diffuse
organization"
2: lacking conciseness; "a diffuse historical novel"
v 1: move outward; "The soldiers fanned out" [syn: {spread}, {spread
out}, {fan out}]
2: spread or diffuse through; "An atmosphere of distrust has
permeated this administration"; "music penetrated the
entire building" [syn: {permeate}, {pervade}, {penetrate},
{interpenetrate}, {imbue}]
3: cause to become widely known; "spread information";
"circulate a rumor"; "broadcast the news" [syn: {circulate},
{circularize}, {circularise}, {distribute}, {disseminate},
{propagate}, {broadcast}, {spread}, {disperse}, {pass
around}]