diacaustic

[dahy-uh-kaw-stik]

adjective

1. noting a caustic surface or curve formed by the refraction of light.

noun

1. a diacaustic surface or curve.

diacaustic

/ ˌdaɪəˈkɔːstɪk, -ˈkɒs- /

adjective

1. (of a caustic curve or surface) formed by refracted light rays

noun

1. a diacaustic curve or surface

Word History and Origins

Origin of diacaustic¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; dia- + caustic

Example Sentences

We have in like manner, as derivatives of a given curve, the caustic, catacaustic or diacaustic as the case may be, and the secondary caustic, or curve cutting at right angles the reflected or refracted rays.

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Diacaustic, dī-a-kaws′tik, adj. pertaining to curves formed by the intersections of rays of refracted light.—n. a curve so formed.

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When the refracting curve is a circle and the rays emanate from any point, the locus of the secondary caustic is a Cartesian oval, and the evolute of this curve is the required diacaustic.

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In optics, the term caustic is given to the envelope of luminous rays after reflection or refraction; in the first case the envelope is termed a catacaustic, in the second a diacaustic.

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