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diffraction

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.14 sec.
dif·frac·tion  (d-frkshn)
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 diffrcti, diffrctin-, from Latin diffrctus, past participle of diffringere : dis-, apart; see dis- + frangere, to break; see bhreg- in Indo-European roots.]

diffraction
Noun
1. Physics a deviation in the direction of a wave at the edge of an obstacle in its path
2. the formation of light and dark fringes by the passage of light through a small aperture [Latin diffringere to shatter]

diffraction  (d-frkshn)
The bending and spreading of a wave, such as a light wave, around the edge of an object. See more at wave.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.diffractiondiffraction - 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

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
These closely similar particulars are collected together by their similarity primarily and, more correctly, by the fact that they are related to each other approximately according to the laws of perspective and of reflection and diffraction of light.
On the other hand, I used to find Paul Tichlorne plunged as deeply into the study of light polarization, diffraction, and interference, single and double refraction, and all manner of strange organic compounds.
 
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