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Suffusing Meaning: Definition and Examples

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suffusing

[səˈfjuːzɪŋ ]

Definition

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.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Writers often use the term to describe how emotions or imagery spread throughout a scene, like a color mingling with a canvas.
  • In poetry, suffusing can describe how light or feelings envelop characters, creating a deeper emotional resonance.
  • The imagery of suffusing is often linked to nature, conveying a sense of warmth and saturation that brings scenes to life.

Science

  • In chemistry, 'suffusing' can describe how a substance spreads through a medium, such as when a dye disperses in water.
  • Suffusion is also observed in biology, as nutrients spread through a cell or tissue after introduction.
  • Understanding how particles suffuse into spaces is crucial in fields like environmental science, especially concerning pollution.

Art

  • Artists frequently depict concepts of suffusing through the use of light and color, illustrating how one element influences another.
  • Techniques like glazing in painting can evoke a sense of depth by allowing previous layers to suffuse the upper ones.
  • Suffusing light in photography is utilized to create soft, atmospheric images that evoke tranquility.

Psychology

  • In psychology, suffusing can refer to how certain emotions can spread across a group, influencing group dynamics.
  • The concept of 'emotional suffusion' highlights how a person's feelings can permeate their environment and affect others.
  • Mindfulness practices encourage emotional suffusion, promoting the spread of calmness and positivity in stressful situations.

Origin of 'suffusing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Latin 'suffundere', which means 'to pour over or on'.
  • It began to be used in English around the early 17th century, evolving from its Latin roots.
  • The prefix 'sub-' means 'under' while 'fundere' means 'to pour', highlighting the idea of pouring out from below.

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.