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diffraction

Diffraction is defined as a process by which light waves break up into dark and light bands or into the colors of the spectrum.

(noun)

Light passing through a narrow opening in the blinds, causing bright and dark shadows and patterns to fall across the floor is an example of defraction.

See diffraction in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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
a similar breaking up of other waves, as of sound or electricity

Origin: ML diffractio < L diffractus: see diffract

Related Forms:

diffractive adjective
diffractively adverb

See diffraction in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

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.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin diffrāctiō, diffrāctiōn-

Origin: , from Latin diffrāctus

Origin: , past participle of diffringere

Origin: : dis-, apart; see dis-

Origin: + frangere, to break; see bhreg- in Indo-European roots

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