diffraction
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English
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.
Pronunciation
Noun
diffraction (countable and uncountable, plural diffractions)
- (physics) The bending of a wave around an obstacle.
- (quantum mechanics) 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.
Derived terms
Translations
the breaking up of an electromagnetic wave as it passes a geometric structure
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French
Pronunciation
Audio: (file)
Noun
diffraction f (plural diffractions)
Related terms
Further reading
- “diffraction”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé , 2012.