half-wave plate

[ haf-weyv, hahf- ]

/ ˈhæfˌweɪv, ˈhɑf- /

noun Optics.

a crystal thin enough to cause a phase difference of 180° between the ordinary and extraordinary rays of polarized light, thereby changing the direction of the plane of polarization.

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Fend Off Sciolism With This Word Of The Day Quiz

Are you the Cinderella of this week’s quiz? Test your memory on the words and definitions from March 23–29.

Question 1 of 7

schlep

to say or do hesitantly or awkwardly

to fold or wind around something

to carry; lug

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Compare quarter-wave plate.

Origin of half-wave plate

First recorded in 1900–05

Words nearby half-wave plate

half-truth, half-turn, half-turning, half-used, half-volley, half-wave plate, half-wave rectifier, half-wit, half-witted, half-year, halfback