Definition of Diaphragm

Diagnosis

DIAPHRAGM noun

	A muscular partition separating disorders of the chest from disorders of the bowels.

		definition from: *The Devil's Dictionary* by Ambrose Bierce, 1911

Diary

Regular definition:

DIAPHRAGM:
?da??fræm n. 1 a muscular partition separating the thorax from the abdomen in mammals. 2 a partition in animal and plant tissues. 3 a disc pierced by one or more holes in optical and acoustic systems etc. 4 a device for varying the effective aperture of the lens in a camera etc. 5 a thin contraceptive cap fitting over the cervix. 6 a thin sheet of material used as a partition etc. ødiaphragm pump a pump using a flexible diaphragm in place of a piston. øødiaphragmatic adj. [ME f. LL diaphragma f. Gk (as DIA-, phragma -atos f. phrasso fence in)]

Last updated: 9/3/2011 12:48:30