fresnel
[ fruh-nel, French frey-nel ]
/ frəˈnɛl, French freɪˈnɛl /
noun
a unit of frequency, equal to 1012 cycles per second.
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Origin of fresnel
First recorded in 1935–40; named after Augustin Jean Fresnel
Words nearby fresnel
Definition for fresnel (2 of 2)
Fresnel
[ fruh-nel; French frey-nel ]
/ frəˈnɛl; French freɪˈnɛl /
noun
Augustin Jean, 1788–1827, French physicist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for fresnel
British Dictionary definitions for fresnel (1 of 2)
fresnel
/ (ˈfreɪnɛl, French frɛnɛl) /
noun
a unit of frequency equivalent to 10 12 hertz
Word Origin for fresnel
C20: named after Augustin Jean Fresnel (1788–1827), French physicist
British Dictionary definitions for fresnel (2 of 2)
Fresnel
/ (French frɛnɛl) /
noun
Augustin Jean (oɡystɛ̃ ʒɑ̃). 1788–1827, French physicist: worked on the interference of light, contributing to the wave theory of light
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for fresnel
Fresnel
[ frā-nĕl′ ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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