The phrase "be suffused" is spelled as /biː səˈfjuːzd/. The sound of "s" and "f" is pronounced distinctly with the "s" being voiceless and the "f" being voiced. The vowel sound in the first syllable is a long "i" while the second syllable begins with a schwa sound. The word "suffuse" means to gradually spread or fill something with a substance. "Be suffused" is a passive form of the verb meaning that something is becoming filled or infused with another substance without any conscious effort.
To be suffused refers to the process of becoming permeated or filled with something, usually a quality, emotion, or color, resulting in a state of being consistently or deeply imbued with it. It implies a gradual and gentle diffusion, as if the subject matter is infused or spread throughout a particular thing or person. When something is suffused, it is suffused with a certain quality or attribute, and this attribute is spread or blended into it in a way that affects the overall essence or atmosphere.
The term can be used both literally and figuratively. In a literal sense, it can describe how a substance, such as liquid, diffuses or spreads throughout an object or substance, infusing it with that substance's properties. In a figurative sense, it often describes emotions, sentiments, or states of mind that permeate or imbue an individual or a situation, profoundly influencing the way it is perceived or experienced.
For example, one might say that an individual's face was suffused with embarrassment when caught in an awkward situation, indicating that their face was flushed or colored due to their intense feelings. Alternatively, one might describe a photograph that captures a beautiful sunset as suffused with a warm and golden hue, indicating that the entire image is engulfed in and characterized by that particular color or atmosphere.
The word "suffuse" comes from the Latin term "suffusus", which is the past participle of "suffundere". "Suffundere" is a combination of the prefix "sub-" (meaning "under" or "below") and the verb "fundere" ("to pour"). Therefore, "suffundere" signifies "to pour under or below". Over time, the term "suffuse" emerged in English, referring to the action of spreading or filling something, usually a color or light, throughout a particular area. When used in the phrase "be suffused", it means to be completely filled or covered with a certain quality or atmosphere.