diffraction

/dəˈfrækʃən/

Other forms: diffractions

Diffraction is the process of light bending around an obstacle or spreading out after it moves through a small space. If you study physics, you'll learn about the diffraction of light waves.

Any kind of wave can experience diffraction, including sound, radio, and water. It's most common to hear about the diffraction of light, which can be seen in the reflection of an image through a pinhole camera or the bright ring of light around the sun or the moon. The root of diffraction is the Latin word diffringere, "break into pieces," from dis, "apart," and frangere, "to break."

Definitions of diffraction

1. noun

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

   X-ray diffraction

   the scattering of X rays by the atoms of a crystal; the diffraction pattern shows structure of the crystal

   type of:

   optical phenomenon

   a physical phenomenon related to or involving light