Meanings
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1
noun
the sheet of muscle below the lungs that contracts and relaxes during breathing
A deep breath makes the diaphragm contract and move downward.
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2
noun
a flexible contraceptive cup placed over the cervix
She asked the clinician how to fit and use a diaphragm correctly.
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3
noun
a flexible membrane in a machine or speaker that responds to pressure or vibration
Sound is produced when the loudspeaker's diaphragm vibrates.
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4
noun
an adjustable opening that controls how much light enters a camera or optical instrument
Closing the lens diaphragm reduced the amount of light reaching the sensor.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English diafragma, from Ancient Greek diaphragma ("partition, barrier"), from dia- ("across") + phragma ("fence, barrier"), related to phrassein ("to fence in"). The anatomical, mechanical, optical, and contraceptive senses all preserve the idea of a separating membrane or partition.