diffusive

From post-classical Latin diffusivus (“tending to spread; expansive”) (13th century), from participle stem of Latin diffundere (“diffuse, disperse”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfjuːsɪv/

diffusive (comparative more diffusive, superlative most diffusive)

1. That is spread or dispersed across a wide area or among a large number of people. [from 17th c.]
2. Involving or employing many words; expansive, discursive; (in negative sense) long-winded. [from 17th c.]
   • 1791, Edward Gibbon, Memoirs of My Life, Penguin, published 1990, page 182:

     I can never forget the delight with which that diffusive and ingenious orator was heard by all sides of the House, and even by those whose existence he proscribed.

3. That diffuses something; disseminating. [from 17th c.]
4. (sciences) Pertaining to diffusion. [from 19th c.]

• diffusive equilibrium

• IPA^(key): /di.fy.ziv/
• Homophone: diffusives

diffusive

1. feminine singular of diffusif

diffusive

1. feminine plural of diffusivo

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /dif.fuːˈsiː.u̯e/, [d̪ɪfːuːˈs̠iːu̯ɛ]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /dif.fuˈsi.ve/, [d̪ifːuˈs̬iːve]

diffūsīve

1. vocative masculine singular of diffūsīvus