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diffraction
[ dih-frak-shuhn ]
/ dɪˈfræk ʃən /
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noun Physics.
the phenomenon exhibited by wave fronts that, passing the edge of an opaque body, are modulated, thereby causing a redistribution of energy within the front: it is detectable in light waves by the presence of a pattern of closely spaced dark and light bands (diffraction pattern ) at the edge of a shadow.
the bending of waves, especially sound and light waves, around obstacles in their path.
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Origin of diffraction
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH diffraction
diffraction , diffusion, reflection, rarefaction, refractionWords nearby diffraction
diffidently, diffluence, diffluent, Difflugia, diffract, diffraction, diffraction grating, diffraction pattern, diffractive, diffractometer, diffusate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use diffraction in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for diffraction
diffraction
/ (dɪˈfrækʃən) /
noun
physics a deviation in the direction of a wave at the edge of an obstacle in its path
any phenomenon caused by diffraction and interference of light, such as the formation of light and dark fringes by the passage of light through a small aperture
deflection of sound waves caused by an obstacle or by nonhomogeneity of a medium
Word Origin for diffraction
C17: from New Latin diffractiō a breaking to pieces, from Latin diffringere to shatter, from dis- apart + frangere to break
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for diffraction
diffraction
[ dĭ-frăk′shən ]
The bending and spreading of a wave, such as a light wave, around the edge of an object. See more at wave.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for diffraction
diffraction
The breaking up of an incoming wave by some sort of geometrical structure — for example, a series of slits — followed by reconstruction of the wave by interference. Diffraction of light is characterized by alternate bands of light and dark or bands of different colors.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.