diaphragm
- Noun. (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.
- Noun. (anatomy) Any of various membranes or sheets of muscle or ligament which separate one cavity from another.
- Noun. A contraceptive device consisting of a flexible cup, used to cover the cervix during intercourse.
- Noun. (mechanics) A flexible membrane separating two chambers and fixed around its periphery that distends into one or other chamber depending on the as the difference in the pressure in the chambers varies.
- Noun. (acoustics) In a speaker, the thin, semi-rigid membrane which vibrates to produce sound.
- Noun. (optics, photography) A thin opaque structure with a central aperture, used to limit the passage of light into a camera or similar device.
- Noun. (chemistry) A permeable or semipermeable membrane.
- Noun. (context, construction) A floor slab, metal wall panel, roof panel or the like, havig a sufficiently large in-plane shear stiffness and sufficient strength to transmit horizontal forces to resisting systems.
- Verb. (optics, photography) To reduce lens aperture using an optical diaphragm.
- Verb. To act as a diaphragm, for example by vibrating.
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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.