diffuser

Any person or thing that diffuses.

Adjective

  1. comparative form of diffuse: more diffuse

Origin

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Noun

  1. Any person or thing that diffuses.
  2. A device designed to diffuse a scent efficiently.
    • They are in the under-$20 section, which includes a display of scented candles and diffusers. - 2009 February 28, Rita Zekas, “DecoRita visits West Elm”, in Toronto Star:

    Synonyms: aroma lamp

  3. Any device that or spreads out or scatters light, making the light appear softer.
    • Along the sofa every three and a half feet, fluorescent tubes glow through translucent plastic diffusers. - 2008 January 24, “In a Town Known for Light, a House With Very Little”, in New York Times:
  4. A shaped section of a car's underbody which improves the car's aerodynamic properties.
  5. A mechanical device that is designed to control the characteristics of a fluid at the entrance to a thermodynamic open system.
  6. An aerating device consisting of a membrane with fine pores, through which air is blown to generate small bubbles.
  7. A cooking item that can be placed above a stove heating element or burner to separate the cooking utensil from the heat source.
  8. A hairdryer attachment that diffuses the flow of air.

Origin

Etymology tree English diffuse Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzijos Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English diffuser From diffuse (verb) + -er.

Forms

diffusers

Related

diffusate diffusible

Derived

biodiffuser blown diffuser microdiffuser