diaphragm

Everyday

1. The diaphragm is a large, flat, dome-shaped muscle under your lungs that helps you breathe. tree →
2. A diaphragm is a thin sheet or disc that moves or vibrates, such as in a microphone or speaker. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on the body, the diaphragm moves down when you breathe in and up when you breathe out. Hiccups happen when the diaphragm jerks. In music, singers breathe «from the diaphragm». Phrases: «breathe from your diaphragm».

Examples

• The diaphragm helps the lungs fill with air. tree →
• When you breathe in, your diaphragm moves down. tree →
• Hiccups are sudden jumps of the diaphragm. tree →
• Singers learn to breathe using their diaphragm. tree →
• The diaphragm sits between the chest and the stomach. tree →
• A microphone has a thin diaphragm that shakes when you speak. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: silent «g» — said «DY-a-fram». Countable: «a diaphragm». It separates the chest from the belly. Not a number word.

In Jewish tradition

In science lessons on the body, the diaphragm moves down when you breathe in and up when you breathe out. Hiccups happen when the diaphragm jerks. In music, singers breathe «from the diaphragm». Phrases: «breathe from your diaphragm».

Examples

• Man is a microcosm, as the neck separates rationality from vitality, so does diaphragm the vitality from the vegetativeness. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

Spelling trap: silent «g» — said «DY-a-fram». Countable: «a diaphragm». It separates the chest from the belly. Not a number word.