diffraction

dif·frac·tion

 (dĭ-frăk′shən)

n.

Change in the directions and intensities of a group of waves after passing by an obstacle or through an aperture whose size is approximately the same as the wavelength of the waves.

---

[New Latin diffrāctiō, diffrāctiōn-, from Latin diffrāctus, past participle of diffringere : dis-, apart; see dis- + frangere, to break; see bhreg- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

diffraction

(dɪˈfrækʃən)

n

1. (General Physics) physics a deviation in the direction of a wave at the edge of an obstacle in its path

2. (General Physics) any phenomenon caused by diffraction and interference of light, such as the formation of light and dark fringes by the passage of light through a small aperture

3. (General Physics) deflection of sound waves caused by an obstacle or by nonhomogeneity of a medium

[C17: from New Latin diffractiō a breaking to pieces, from Latin diffringere to shatter, from dis- apart + frangere to break]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dif•frac•tion

(dɪˈfræk ʃən)

n.

a modulation of waves in response to an obstacle, as an object, slit, or grating, in the path of propagation, giving rise in light waves to a banded pattern or to a spectrum.

[1665–75; < New Latin diffrāctiō, derivative of Latin diffringere to break up]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

dif·frac·tion

(dĭ-frăk′shən)

The bending or turning of a wave, such as a light wave, when it encounters an obstacle, such as an edge, or a hole whose size is similar to the wavelength of the wave. The patterns made by the diffraction of waves can be useful for understanding the minute structures of objects. The diffraction patterns made by x-rays as they pass between the atoms of a molecule, for example, are studied in order to determine the molecule's overall structure. See more at wave.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

diffraction

An effect caused when, after passing an obstacle or through a narrow slit, waves (e.g. of light) interfere with each other and may bend or spread.

Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

diffraction - when light passes sharp edges or goes through narrow slits the rays are deflected and produce fringes of light and dark bands optical phenomenon - a physical phenomenon related to or involving light X-ray diffraction - the scattering of X rays by the atoms of a crystal; the diffraction pattern shows structure of the crystal

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Translations

difracción

diffrazioneflessione

diffraction

[dɪˈfrækʃən] N → difracción f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

diffraction

n → Diffraktion f, → Beugung f

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

diffraction

[dɪˈfrækʃ/ən] n (Phys) → diffrazione f

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

dif·frac·tion

n. difracción.

1. desviación de dirección;

2. la descomposición de un rayo de luz y sus componentes al atravesar un cristal o prisma;

___ pattern → patrón de ___.

English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012