scattering

[ skat-er-ing ]

/ ˈskæt ər ɪŋ /

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See synonyms for: scattering / scatterings on Thesaurus.com

adjective

distributed or occurring here and there at irregular intervals; scattered.

straggling, as an assemblage of parts.

(of votes) cast in small numbers for various candidates.

distributing, dispersing, or separating.

noun

a small, scattered number or quantity.

Physics. the process in which a wave or beam of particles is diffused or deflected by collisions with particles of the medium that it traverses.

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Compare elastic scattering, Rayleigh scattering.

Origin of scattering

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at scatter, -ing², -ing¹

Words nearby scattering

scatterbrained, scatter diagram, scattered, scattergood, scatter-gun, scattering, scattering layer, scatter pin, scatter rug, scattershot, scattersite housing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scattering in a sentence

Then, the team decreased the temperature to make the atoms fill up the lowest energy states, suppressing the scattering of light.
Scientists finally detected a quantum effect that blocks atoms from scattering light|Emily Conover|November 22, 2021|Science News
You have to modify your entire body to minimize any scattering or reflection of light.
New images clarify how glasswing butterflies make their wings transparent|Maria Temming|June 21, 2021|Science News
In the sum of all possible interactions that could happen during a particle scattering event, the mathematical term representing each interaction splits into two parts, much as the number 6 splits into 2 × 3.
How Gravity Is a Double Copy of Other Forces|Charlie Wood|May 4, 2021|Quanta Magazine
She said she is making plans for friends to participate in the scattering of her daughter’s ashes.
Beloved 17th Street figure Jen Newbauer dies at 41|Lou Chibbaro Jr.|March 15, 2021|Washington Blade

He led me inside, into a hall with a scattering of young people, all of whom cheered as soon as they saw him.
Fiction: Quiet earth philosophy|Katie McLean|October 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Scattering the truly disadvantaged was much easier when so many were flood-displaced.
Eight Years After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Has Been Resurrected|Jason Berry|August 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Scattering wooden villages, each a line of hovels, appeared at long intervals.
Lazarre|Mary Hartwell Catherwood
Scattering in various directions we ragged about until tea-time.
From Snotty to Sub|Wolstan Beaumont Charles Weld Forester
Scattering down side streets, alley-ways, behind lumber-piles, everywhere—anywhere.
Foes in Ambush|Charles King
Scattering with wild cries of fear, they could be seen running for their lives toward the wood.
The Girl Aviators' Motor Butterfly|Margaret Burnham
Scattering shots are heard all along and around our line—the trumpets of the cavalry ring out "To arms!"
Campaigning with Crook and Stories of Army Life|Charles King

British Dictionary definitions for scattering

scattering

/ (ˈskætərɪŋ) /

noun

a small amount

physics the process in which particles, atoms, etc, are deflected as a result of collision

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 scattering

scattering

[ skăt′ər-ĭng ]

The spreading of a stream of particles or a beam of rays, as of light, over a range of directions as a result of collisions with other particles. The sky appears blue due to the tendency of air molecules to scatter blue and violet light more than light of other frequencies. The scattering probabilities and patterns of subatomic particles, accelerated by particle accelerators and aimed at a target, is a major component of experimental particle physics. See also diffusion cross section.

scattering

Origin of scattering

Words nearby scattering

Words related to scattering

How to use scattering in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scattering

Scientific definitions for scattering