fresnel

¹

[fruh-nel, frey-nel]

noun

1. a unit of frequency, equal to 10 12 cycles per second.

Fresnel

²

[fruh-nel, frey-nel]

noun

1. Augustin Jean, 1788–1827, French physicist.

Fresnel

¹

/ frɛnɛl /

noun

1. Augustin Jean (oɡystɛ̃ ʒɑ̃). 1788–1827, French physicist: worked on the interference of light, contributing to the wave theory of light

fresnel

²

/ ˈfreɪnɛl, frɛnɛl /

noun

1. a unit of frequency equivalent to 10 ¹² hertz

Fresnel

1. French physicist whose investigations of the interference, diffraction, and polarization of light helped establish the theory that light moves in a wavelike motion. Fresnel also made great contributions to the field of optics, including the development of a compound lens for use in lighthouses.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fresnel¹

First recorded in 1935–40; named after Augustin Jean Fresnel

Word History and Origins

Origin of fresnel¹

C20: named after Augustin Jean Fresnel (1788–1827), French physicist

Example Sentences

This is called a 'Fresnel lens' or 'zone plate lens', and it focuses light using diffraction rather than refraction.

Read more on Science Daily

Before the 11 a.m. boat ride back to the mainland, Dre Elmore likes to show off the retired Fresnel lens and the array of still-working machinery in the fog signal building.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The glint in Gallichotte’s eyes reflects the setting sun as he becomes more animated in the telling of their 2018 mailbox creation story: the purchase of reference books, hours of careful research, the need for authenticity, the acquisition of a Fresnel lens.

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The first such lenses were invented by the French scientist Augustin-Jean Fresnel in 1819 to provide lightweight lenses for lighthouses.

Read more on Salon

Notable for the eponymous 1898 lighthouse — the tallest in Washington state — visitors can climb the 135 steps to the lantern room, where the original Fresnel lens still signals the Gray’s Harbor entrance.

Read more on Seattle Times