schlieren Hear it!

schlieren Definition

schlie·ren (s̸hlirən)

-·re

  1. small streaks or masses in igneous rocks, differing in composition from the main rock but blending gradually into it
  2. Optics regions in a translucent medium, as a fluid, that have a different density and consequently a different index of refraction than the medium and that can be photographed as shadows produced by the refraction of light passed through these regions

Etymology: Ger, lit., streaks; akin to slur

schlieren Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • photography: G ) Scientific photography-photomicrography, astrophotography, holography, electron photomicrography, schlieren photography, thermography, radiography, endoscopy and stereophotography.