English Explanatory Dictionary

diffraction

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The bending of a wave around an obstacle.
  2. The breaking up of an electromagnetic wave as it passes a geometric structure (e.g. a slit), followed by reconstruction of the wave by interference.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈfɹækʃən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vininn126-diffraction.wav

Word forms

diffraction diffractions

Etymology

From New Latin diffrāctiō (in which coined by Francesco Maria Grimaldi), from Latin diffrāctus, past participle of Latin diffringo (“to shatter, to break into pieces”). Coined in Physico-mathesis de lumine (1665) by Francesco Maria Grimaldi.

Derived words

diffraction grating diffractionist diffractionless diffraction limit diffraction pattern microdiffraction neutron diffraction subdiffraction transmission electron diffraction X-ray diffraction
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