Diaphragm vs Baffle - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between diaphragm and baffle

is that diaphragm is in mammals, a sheet of muscle separating the thorax from the abdomen, contracted and relaxed in respiration to draw air into and expel air from the lungs; also called thoracic diaphragm while baffle is a device used to dampen the effects of such things as sound, light, or fluid. Specifically, a baffle is a surface which is placed inside an open area to inhibit direct motion from one part to another, without preventing motion altogether.

As verbs the difference between diaphragm and baffle

is that diaphragm is to reduce lens aperture using an optical diaphragm while baffle is to publicly disgrace, especially of a recreant knight.

diaphragm

English

Noun

(en noun)

(anatomy) In mammals, a sheet of muscle separating the thorax from the abdomen, contracted and relaxed in respiration to draw air into and expel air from the lungs; also called thoracic diaphragm.

(anatomy) Any of various membranes or sheets of muscle or ligament which separate one cavity from another.

A contraceptive device consisting of a flexible cup, used to cover the cervix during intercourse.

(mechanics) A flexible membrane separating two chambers and fixed around its periphery that distends into one or other chamber as the difference in the pressure in the chambers varies.

(acoustics) In a speaker, the thin, semi-rigid membrane which vibrates to produce sound.

(optics, photography) A thin opaque structure with a central aperture, used to limit the passage of light into a camera or similar device.

(chemistry) A permeable or semipermeable membrane

* {{quote-book, 1921, Wilder Dwight Bancroft, Applied Colloid Chemistry: General Theory citation

, passage=The mass of liquid transported through a porous diaphragm in a given time is directly proportional to the current. }}

(construction) A floor slab, metal wall panel, roof panel or the like, havig a sufficiently large in-plane shear stiffness and sufficient strength to transmit horizontal forces to resisting systems.

Image:Diaphragm.jpg, The thoracic diaphragm . Image:Contraception diaphragme.jpg, A contraceptive diaphragm . Image:Seal (diaphragm).png, A mechanical diaphragm . Image:X5 Paper Pulp Cone.jpg, An acoustic diaphragm .

Derived terms

(Derived terms) * diaphragmal * diaphragmic * diaphragmatic * diaphragmatically * interdiaphragm * diaphragm arch * diaphragm pump * diaphragm seal * diaphragm shutter * diaphragm valve * iris diaphragm

Verb

(en verb)

(optics, photography) To reduce lens aperture using an optical diaphragm.

* {{quote-book, 1870, D. Appleton & Co., Appletons' Annual Cyclopædia and Register of Important Events of the Year 1869 citation

, passage=He employs an equatorial with an object-glass having a focal length of five metres, and which was diaphragmed down to eight centimetres.}}

To act as a diaphragm, for example by vibrating.

* {{quote-book, 1996, Tom Drozda et al., Tool and Manufacturing Engineers Handbook, vol. VIII: Plastic Part Manufacturing citation

, passage=The holes and burning are caused by the part diaphragming at 20000-40000 cycles/second.}}

baffle

English

Verb

(baffl)

(obsolete) To publicly disgrace, especially of a recreant knight.

* 1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , VI.7:

He by the heeles him hung upon a tree, / And baffuld so, that all which passed by / The picture of his punishment might see […].

(obsolete) To hoodwink or deceive (someone).

(Barrow)

To bewilder completely; to confuse or perplex.

I am baffled by the contradictions and omissions in the instructions.

* Prescott

calculations so difficult as to have baffled , until within a recent period, the most enlightened nations

* John Locke

The mere intricacy of a question should not baffle us.

* Cowper

the art that baffles time's tyrannic claim

* South

a suitable scripture ready to repel and baffle them all

To struggle in vain.

A ship baffles with the winds.

Synonyms

* See also

Noun

(en noun)

A device used to dampen the effects of such things as sound, light, or fluid. Specifically, a baffle is a surface which is placed inside an open area to inhibit direct motion from one part to another, without preventing motion altogether.

Tanker trucks use baffles to keep the liquids inside from sloshing around.

An architectural feature designed to confuse enemies or make them vulnerable.