diffraction

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   when light passes sharp edges or goes through narrow slits the rays are deflected and produce fringes of light and dark bands

2. 2
   noun

   The bending of a wave around an obstacle.

3. 3
   noun

   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.

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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