diffract

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   of a wave or particle beam, to spread or change direction through interference after meeting an edge, aperture, or periodic structure

   X-rays diffract from the regularly spaced planes of atoms in a crystal.

2. 2
   verb

   to cause a wave or particle beam to undergo diffraction

   The crystal lattice diffracted the X-rays into a pattern of sharp spots.

Simplified etymology

Diffract entered English in the early 19th century from Latin diffringere, meaning “break into pieces.” Its scientific sense refers to waves, especially light waves, being broken up in some way.

Back-formed in English from diffraction. Diffraction comes from New Latin diffractio and Latin diffractus, the past participle of diffringere ("to break apart"), formed from dis- ("apart") + frangere ("to break").

Topics

External links

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