Part 3101

<hw>Dif*fu"si*ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Capable of flowing or spreading in all directions; that may be diffused.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Physiol.)</fld> <def>Capable of passing through animal membranes by osmosis.</def>

<h1>Diffusibleness</h1> <Xpage=411>

<hw>Dif*fu"si*ble*ness</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Diffusibility.</def>

<h1>Diffusion</h1> <Xpage=411>

<hw>Dif*fu"sion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>diffusio</ets>: cf. F. <ets>diffusion</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>The act of diffusing, or the state of being diffused; a spreading; extension; dissemination; circulation; dispersion.</def>

<blockquote>A <b>diffusion</b> of knowledge which has undermined superstition. <i>Burke.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Physiol.)</fld> <def>The act of passing by osmosis through animal membranes, as in the distribution of poisons, gases, etc., through the body. Unlike <i>absorption</i>, diffusion may go on after death, that is, after the blood ceases to circulate.</def>

<syn>Syn. -- Extension; spread; propagation; circulation; expansion; dispersion.</syn>

<h1>Diffusive</h1> <Xpage=411>

<hw>Dif*fu"sive</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>diffusif</ets>.]</ety> <def>Having the quality of diffusing; capable of spreading every way by flowing; spreading widely; widely reaching; copious; diffuse.</def> "A plentiful and <i>diffusive</i> perfume."

<i>Hare.</i>

<h1>Diffusively</h1> <Xpage=411>

<hw>Dif*fu"sive*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In a diffusive manner.</def>

<h1>Diffusiveness</h1> <Xpage=411>

<hw>Dif*fu"sive*ness</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The quality or state of being diffusive or diffuse; extensiveness; expansion; dispersion. Especially of style: Diffuseness; want of conciseness; prolixity.</def>

<blockquote>The fault that I find with a modern legend, it its <b>diffusiveness</b>. <i>Addison.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Diffusivity</h1> <Xpage=411>

<hw>Dif`fu*siv"i*ty</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Tendency to become diffused; tendency, as of heat, to become equalized by spreading through a conducting medium.</def>

<h1>Dig</h1> <Xpage=411>

<hw>Dig</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Dug</er> <tt>(?)</tt> or <er>Digged</er> <tt>(<?/)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Digging</er>. -- <i>Digged</i> is archaic.]</wordforms> <ety>[OE. <ets>diggen</ets>, perh. the same word as <ets>diken</ets>, <ets>dichen</ets> (see <er>Dike</er>, <er>Ditch</er>); cf. Dan. <ets>dige</ets> to dig, <ets>dige</ets> a ditch; or (?) akin to E. 1st <ets>dag</ets>. <?/<?/<?/.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To turn up, or delve in, (earth) with a spade or a hoe; to open, loosen, or break up (the soil) with a spade, or other sharp instrument; to pierce, open, or loosen, as if with a spade.</def>

<blockquote>Be first to <b>dig</b> the ground. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To get by digging; <as>as, to <ex>dig</ex> potatoes, or gold</as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To hollow out, as a well; to form, as a ditch, by removing earth; to excavate; <as>as, to <ex>dig</ex> a ditch or a well</as>.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To thrust; to poke.</def> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark>