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diaphragm |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Diaphragm \Di"a*phragm\, n. [L. diaphragma, Gr ?, fr ? to fence by a partition wall; dia` through + ?, ?, to fence, inclose; prob. akin to L. fareire to stuff: cf F. diaphragme. See {Farce}.] 1. A dividing membrane or thin partition, commonly with an opening through it 2. (Anat.) The muscular and tendinous partition separating the cavity of the chest from that of the abdomen; the midriff. 3. (Zo["o]l.) A calcareous plate which divides the cavity of certain shells into two parts 4. (Opt.) A plate with an opening, which is generally circular, used in instruments to cut off marginal portions of a beam of light, as at the focus of a telescope. 5. (Mach.) A partition in any compartment, for various purposes. {Diaphragm pump}, one in which a flexible diaphragm takes the place of a piston. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: diaphragm n 1: controls size of aperture of the lens; "the new cameras adjust the diaphragm automatically" [syn: {stop}] 2: (anatomy) a muscular partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities; functions in respiration [syn: {midriff}] 3: a contraceptive device consisting of a flexible dome-shaped cup made of rubber or plastic; it is filled with spermicide and fitted over the uterine cervix [syn: {pessary}, {contraceptive diaphragm}] 4: vibrates to receive or produce sound waves From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]: DIAPHRAGM, n. A muscular partition separating disorders of the chest from disorders of the bowels.
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