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Suffusing: meaning, definitions and examples

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suffusing

 

[ səˈfjuːzɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

spread throughout

Suffusing refers to the act of spreading or permeating something throughout an area or an object. It often describes how a substance, like light or color, moves through a medium, creating an even distribution. The term can also imply a gentle or subtle infusion, which enhances the overall quality or feeling of the environment. In literature, suffusing can describe emotions or atmospheres that fill a scene or a character's demeanor. This verb is frequently associated with the idea of saturation, both in physical and metaphorical contexts.

Synonyms

fill, infuse, permeate, spread

Examples of usage

  • The sunlight suffused the room.
  • Her laughter suffused the atmosphere with joy.
  • The aroma of spices suffused the kitchen.
  • Orange hues suffused the sky at sunset.

Etymology

The term 'suffuse' originates from the Latin word 'suffundere', which means 'to pour beneath or to spread over'. This Latin word is composed of 'sub-' meaning 'under' and 'fundere' which means 'to pour'. The word entered the English language in the late 15th century, initially used in a more literal sense of pouring a liquid over something. Over time, its usage broadened to encompass more abstract notions of spreading or saturating emotions, light, color, and even ideas. As such, 'suffusing' is frequently utilized in literary and descriptive contexts to characterize how certain qualities or elements pervade an environment or atmosphere.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,353, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.