diffusion

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun (physics) the process in which there is movement of a substance from an area of high concentration of that substance to an area of lower concentration
  2. noun the spread of social institutions (and myths and skills) from one society to another
  3. noun the property of being diffused or dispersed

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin diffūsiō, from diffundō; can be decomposed as diffuse + -ion.

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