diaphragm
From WikiWord
English
Etymology
No etymology has been added yet.
Pronunciation
- IPA /ˈdaɪəˌfɹæm/
Noun
diaphragm noun
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Verb
diaphragm verb
- To reduce lens aperture using an optical diaphragm.
- To act as a diaphragm, for example by vibrating.
Word map
Related terms
Synonyms
midriffpessarystopcontraceptive diaphragmseptummembraneorificelinergussetirisskirtbuckymicsmouldedbarrierpartition
Associated
Rhymes
Usage & collocations
No usage or collocation data has been added yet.
Community definitions
Community definitions for diaphragm appear here as readers add and vote on them.
Usage in the wild
Real example sentences for diaphragm appear here as readers add them.