Defog Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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defog

[dɪˈfɔɡ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

clear vision

To defog means to remove fog or condensation from a surface, such as a windshield or glasses, to improve visibility. This term is often used in relation to vehicles or environments where moisture causes impairment of sight.

Synonyms

cleanse, clear, uncloud.

Examples of usage

  • I need to defog my car windows before driving.
  • Use the heater to defog your glasses in cold weather.
  • The technician helped to defog the camera lens.
  • After taking a shower, I had to defog the bathroom mirror.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Technology

  • Modern cars often have a defogging feature that uses warmth and airflow to clear foggy windows.
  • Some smartphones and cameras now have defog modes that help improve visibility in humid environments.
  • Innovative fabric technology has been developed to create 'defogging' materials that prevent lens fog in glasses and goggles.

Science

  • Fog forms when water vapor condenses into tiny droplets, often in cooler temperatures or high humidity.
  • Defogging techniques often rely on increasing temperature on a surface, reducing condensation.
  • Understanding fog and how to remove it involves principles of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics.

Everyday Life

  • Many people use household items like vinegar or special solutions to defog mirrors in their bathrooms after a hot shower.
  • Defogging sprays and wipes are also popular for keeping goggles and glasses clear during sports activities.
  • Fogging can occur in various places like glasses, car windows, and shower doors, affecting daily visibility.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often wipe fogged-up car windows dramatically to reveal their emotional state or the world outside.
  • Fog and its removal is a popular theme in thrillers, where visibility often leads to suspenseful plot twists.
  • There are humorous references in cartoons where characters struggle with foggy glasses, leading to comedic situations.

Origin of 'defog'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'defog' is a combination of the prefix 'de-' meaning to remove, and 'fog', which refers to tiny water droplets in the air.
  • The concept came into common usage in the aviation world, where pilots needed to clear foggy views quickly.
  • The term is widely used in technology today, especially in relation to car windshields and camera lenses.

The word 'defog' is composed of the prefix 'de-' which implies removal or reversal, and 'fog', which refers to a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface. The usage of the term has increased significantly in modern language with the advent of technology and vehicles, where the need to maintain clear visibility in foggy conditions is paramount. The combination of these elements into 'defog' represents the action of clearing away the obstruction that fog creates, enhancing clarity and sight. The term emerged in the late 20th century, alongside advancements in automotive technology, particularly with the development of defogging systems in cars. Over time, it has also been adopted in various contexts relating to electronics and optics, emphasizing its versatility in addressing visibility issues.