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diafragma

diaphragm

noun dyah-FRAHG-mah Rare
Body & Health Body Parts

Origin: From Greek diaphragma (partition, barrier).

Usage Note

Diafragma is masculine despite ending in -a — a pattern shared by other Greek-origin words like programa and tema. It refers to the dome-shaped breathing muscle separating the chest from the abdomen, and also to the optical diaphragm (aperture) in a camera or the contraceptive diaphragm. The gm cluster is pronounced: dya-FRAHG-mah.

Examples

"El diafragma es el músculo principal de la respiración."

Natural Translation

The diaphragm is the main breathing muscle.

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