Diffuse vs Effuse - What's the difference?
diffuse | effuse |
To spread over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.
* Whewell
To be spread over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.
Everywhere or throughout everything; not focused or concentrated.
Poured out freely; profuse.
* Barrow
Disposed to pour out freely; prodigal.
(botany) Spreading loosely, especially on one side.
(zoology) Having the lips, or edges, of the aperture abruptly spreading, as in certain shells.
to emit; to give off
(figuratively) to gush; to be excitedly talkative and enthusiastic about something
To pour out like a stream or freely; to cause to exude; to shed.
* Milton
to leak out through a small hole
(obsolete) effusion; loss
* Shakespeare
As verbs the difference between diffuse and effuse
is that diffuse is while effuse is to emit; to give off.As an adjective effuse is
poured out freely; profuse.As a noun effuse is
(obsolete) effusion; loss.diffuse
English
Etymology 1
(etyl), from (etyl) diffusus, past participle ofVerb
(diffus)- We find this knowledge diffused among all civilized nations.
- Food coloring diffuses in water.
- The riot diffused quite suddenly.
Derived terms
* diffuserEtymology 2
(etyl) diffususAdjective
(en adjective)- Such a diffuse effort is unlikely to produce good results.
Derived terms
* diffuselyeffuse
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- So should our joy be very effuse .
- (Young)
- an effuse inflorescence
Verb
(effus)- With gushing blood effused .
Derived terms
* effuserNoun
- Much effuse of blood.
