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diffraction definition

dif·frac·tion (di frak′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the breaking up of a ray of light into dark and light bands or into the colors of the spectrum, caused by the interference of one part of a beam with another, as when the ray is deflected at the edge of an opaque object or passes through a narrow slit
  2. a similar breaking up of other waves, as of sound or electricity

Etymology: ML diffractio < L diffractus: see diffract

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical diffraction definition - medical

telecom diffraction definition - telecom

diffraction Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • X-ray: In 1912 William Lawrence Bragg had derived an expression for the diffraction of X-rays by crystals.

Preposition: from

  • crystal: General Remarks It is quite common to find that the diffraction from subsequent crystals for a protein do not apparently merge well.

Adjective modifier

  • single-crystal: This is a reason why D syntheses are performed in studies of electron densities by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Modifies a noun

  • grating: Question 5 A student finds an old, unmarked diffraction grating in a cupboard.

Noun used with modifier

  • X-ray: For X-ray diffraction studies on organic thin films a portable vacuum chamber is used.
diffraction usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"diffraction." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/diffraction>

APA Style

diffraction. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/diffraction

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