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Blur vs Diffuse - What's the difference?

blur | diffuse |

In intransitive terms the difference between blur and diffuse

is that blur is to become indistinct while diffuse is to be spread over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.

As verbs the difference between blur and diffuse

is that blur is to make indistinct or hazy, to obscure or dim while diffuse is to spread over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.

As a noun blur

is a smear, smudge or blot.

As an adjective diffuse is

everywhere or throughout everything; not focused or concentrated.

blur

English

(wikipedia blur)

Verb

  • To make indistinct or hazy, to obscure or dim.
    • to blur a photograph by moving the camera while taking it
  • To smear, stain or smudge.
    • to blur a manuscript by handling it while damp
  • To become indistinct.
  • To cause imperfection of vision in; to dim; to darken.
  • * J. R. Drake
    • Her eyes are blurred with the lightning's glare.
  • To sully; to stain; to blemish, as reputation.
  • * Hudibras
    • Sarcasms may eclipse thine own, / But cannot blur my lost renown.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A smear, smudge or blot
  • Something that appears hazy or indistinct
  • * {{quote-book, year=1907, author=
    • , title=The Dust of Conflict , chapter=26 citation , passage=Maccario, it was evident, did not care to take the risk of blundering upon a picket, and a man led them by twisting paths until at last the hacienda rose blackly before them. Appleby could see it dimly, a blur of shadowy buildings with the ridge of roof parapet alone cutting hard and sharp against the clearing sky.}}
  • * {{quote-news, year=2012
    • , date=June 29 , author=Kevin Mitchell , title=Roger Federer back from Wimbledon 2012 brink to beat Julien Benneteau , work=the Guardian citation , page= , passage=The fightback when it came was in the Federer fashion: unfussy, filled with classy strokes from the back with perfectly timed interventions at the net that confounded his opponent. The third set passed in a bit of a blur , the fourth, which led to the second tie-break, was the most dramatic of the match. }}
  • (obsolete) A moral stain or blot.
  • * Udall
    • Lest she will with her railing set a great blur on mine honesty and good name.

    Derived terms

    * motion blur

    Anagrams

    *

    diffuse

    English

    Etymology 1

    (etyl), from (etyl) diffusus, past participle of

    Verb

    (diffus)
  • To spread over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.
  • * Whewell
    • We find this knowledge diffused among all civilized nations.
  • To be spread over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.
    • Food coloring diffuses in water.
    The riot diffused quite suddenly.
    Derived terms
    * diffuser

    Etymology 2

    (etyl) diffusus

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Everywhere or throughout everything; not focused or concentrated.
    • Such a diffuse effort is unlikely to produce good results.
    Derived terms
    * diffusely

    Related terms

    * diffusion

    References

    * English heteronyms English transitive verbs ----