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Diffraction

//dɪˈfɹækʃən// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The bending of a wave around an obstacle. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    when light passes sharp edges or goes through narrow slits the rays are deflected and produce fringes of light and dark bands wordnet
  3. 3
    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. countable, uncountable

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.

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