etalon

[ eyt-l-on ]
/ ˈeɪt lˌɒn /

noun Optics.

an interferometer consisting of two glass plates that reflect approximately half of each ray of light incident upon them and that are separated by a small, fixed distance: used to compare wavelengths and to study atomic spectra.

QUIZZES

IS YOUR VOCABULARY AS STRONG AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT? TRY THIS QUIZ TO SEE!

It may seem like fun and games but this quiz that uses vocab from popular stories will determine how much you know.
Question 1 of 10
disgruntle
to deprive of ability, qualification, or strength
to put into a state of sulky dissatisfaction
to make repayment or return for (service, benefits, etc.)
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of etalon

1900–05; <French; Middle French estalon standard, derivative of Old French estal place <Germanic; see stall1

Words nearby etalon

etaerio, étagère, e-tail, e-tailing, et al., etalon, eta meson, etamine, etanercept, etaoin shrdlu, eta particle
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for etalon

etalon
/ (ˈɛtəˌlɒn) /

noun

physics a device used in spectroscopy to measure wavelengths by interference effects produced by multiple reflections between parallel half-silvered glass or quartz plates

Word Origin for etalon

C20: French étalon a fixed standard of weights and measures, from Old French estalon; see also stallion
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