diaphragm

Definitions

1. 1.(Anat.) The muscular and tendinous partition separating the cavity of the chest from that of the abdomen; the midriff.
2. 2.(Zoöl.) A calcareous plate which divides the cavity of certain shells into two parts.
3. 3.(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.
4. 4.(Mach.) A partition in any compartment, for various purposes. Diaphragm pump, one in which a flexible diaphragm takes the place of a piston.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "diaphragm" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is diaphragm.

• What is the muscular and tendinous partition separating the cavity of the chest from that of the abdomen; the midriff called?
• What is a calcareous plate which divides the cavity of certain shells into two parts called?
• What is 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 called?
• What is a partition in any compartment, for various purposes. Diaphragm pump, one in which a flexible diaphragm takes the place of a piston called?