diffract — to cause a beam of light or other wave to spread out as a result of passing through a narrow opening or around an edge
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to cause a beam of light or other wave to spread out as a result of passing through a narrow opening or around an edge
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈfrækt/
Example Sentences
- The physics student was amazed when the laser beam diffracted into a beautiful rainbow pattern on the wall.
- My professor's boring lecture seemed to diffract my attention in all directions except the blackboard.
- Sound waves diffract around buildings, which is why you can hear music from around the corner.
diffract
VERB[/dɪˈfrækt/]
to cause a beam of light or other wave to spread out as a result of passing through a narrow opening or around an edge
The laser beam hits the slit and diffracts into a rainbow fan on the wall.
Light waves diffract as pupils contract, beauty makes hearts attract
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Diffract derives from Latin diffractus, the past participle of diffringere, combining dis- (apart) and frangere (to break or shatter). The term originally described the physical breaking or shattering of objects, but in modern scientific usage refers to the bending and spreading of light waves when encountering obstacles.
Breakdown
dis- (apart, asunder) + -fract (from frangere, to break) + -us (past participle ending). The morphological structure conveys the sense of light being broken apart and scattered as it encounters a barrier.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The physics student was amazed when the laser beam diffracted into a beautiful rainbow pattern on the wall.”
“My professor's boring lecture seemed to diffract my attention in all directions except the blackboard.”
“Sound waves diffract around buildings, which is why you can hear music from around the corner.”
“Scientists use X-ray diffraction to study crystal structures like detectives solving molecular mysteries.”
📚Related Words
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