Definitions for: Diffraction

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

Webster (1913) Definition: Dif*frac"tion, n. [Cf. F. diffraction.] (Opt.)
The deflection and decomposition of light in passing by the
edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits, causing the
appearance of parallel bands or fringes of prismatic colors,
as by the action of a grating of fine lines or bars.

Remarked by Grimaldi (1665), and referred by him to a
property of light which he called diffraction.
--Whewell.

Diffraction grating. (Optics) See under Grating.

Diffraction spectrum. (Optics) See under Spectrum.

See Also: optical phenomenon, X-ray diffraction

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