Hypertext Webster Gateway: "diaphragm"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Diaphragm \Di"a*phragm\, n. [L. diaphragma, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
fence by a partition wall; dia` through + ?, ?, to fence,
inclose; prob. akin to L. fareire to stuff: cf. F.
diaphragme. See {Farce}.]
1. A dividing membrane or thin partition, commonly with an
opening through it.
2. (Anat.) The muscular and tendinous partition separating
the cavity of the chest from that of the abdomen; the
midriff.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A calcareous plate which divides the cavity of
certain shells into two parts.
4. (Opt.) A plate with an opening, which is generally
circular, used in instruments to cut off marginal portions
of a beam of light, as at the focus of a telescope.
5. (Mach.) A partition in any compartment, for various
purposes.
{Diaphragm pump}, one in which a flexible diaphragm takes the
place of a piston.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
diaphragm
n 1: a mechanical device in a camera that controls size of
aperture of the lens; "the new cameras adjust the
diaphragm automatically" [syn: {stop}]
2: (anatomy) a muscular partition separating the abdominal and
thoracic cavities; functions in respiration [syn: {midriff}]
3: a contraceptive device consisting of a flexible dome-shaped
cup made of rubber or plastic; it is filled with
spermicide and fitted over the uterine cervix [syn: {pessary},
{contraceptive diaphragm}]
4: electro-acoustic transducer that vibrates to receive or
produce sound waves
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