Both Uses of
diffuse
in
The Mill on the Floss
- Mumps declined to express himself more diffusely than by a single affirmative movement of his tail.†
Chpt 4.3
- With the beginning of the last speech he had stretched out his legs, thrust his hands in his pockets, and prepared himself for some introductory diffuseness, tending to show that Mr. Deane had succeeded by his own merit, and that what he had to say to young men in general was, that if they didn't succeed too it was because of their own demerit.†
Chpt 6.5 *
Definition:
-
(diffuse) to spread; or to soften or calm
or:
to be spread out (not concentrated) -- sometimes implying a lack of organization