diffraction etymology

Etymology of Diffraction

The word "diffraction" is derived from two Latin words:

  • Diffrangere: To break
  • Facere: To make

Meaning and Origin

Diffraction refers to the process where a wave encounters an obstacle or an aperture and spreads out around the edges of the obstacle or aperture.

  • Obstacle: When a wave encounters an obstacle, it spreads out around the edges of the obstacle. This is because the obstacle blocks some of the wavefronts, causing the wave to bend around the edges.
  • Aperture: When a wave passes through an aperture, it spreads out as it exits the aperture. This is because the edges of the aperture create secondary sources of waves that interfere with the original wavefront.

The term "diffraction" was first used by the Italian scientist Francesco Maria Grimaldi in his book "Physico-Mathesis de Lumine, Coloribus, et Iride" (1665). Grimaldi conducted experiments with light passing through small holes and observed that the light spread out as it emerged from the holes. He coined the term "diffraction" to describe this phenomenon.

diffraction relate terms

  • diffract

    Etymology Late Latin diffractus past participle of diffrangere to break across to s

  • diffraction

    Etymology of Diffraction The word diffraction is derived from two Latin words Diffra

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  • brake

    Etymology The word brake has several etymological origins German brechen meaning

  • brash

    Etymology The word brash is derived from Middle English brassen which itself is fro

  • breach

    Etymology Old French breche from Late Latin brecha from Celtic of unknown origin M

  • break

    Etymology Middle English breken breken Old English brecan Proto Germanic brekan Pro

  • breccia

    Etymology The word breccia comes from the Italian word breccia which means a breach

  • breeches

    Etymology Middle English breeches from Old English brec plural a garment worn by

  • brioche

    Etymology The word brioche is derived from the Old French word brier which means to

  • chamfer

    Etymology The word chamfer is derived from the Old French word chamfroir meaning t

  • defray

    Defray Etymology Borrowed from Middle French defreier from Old French desfreier desf

  • diffraction

    Etymology of Diffraction The word diffraction is derived from two Latin words Diffra

  • fractal

    Etymology The word fractal derives from the Latin term fractus meaning broken or

  • fraction

    Etymology The word fraction is derived from the Latin word fractio which means a b

  • fractious

  • fracture

    Etymology The word fracture comes from the Latin word fractura meaning a breaking I

  • fragile

    Etymology Latin fragilis Proto Indo European bhreg to break Meaning Br

  • fragility

    Etymology Late Middle English fragilitee from Anglo Norman French fragilitee from La

  • fragment

    Fragment Etymology Late Middle English from Old French fragment from Latin fragmentu

  • frail

    Etymology Middle English fraile from Anglo Norman French fraile Old French frele ul

  • frangible

    Etymology The word frangible is derived from the Latin word frangere meaning to bre

  • infraction

    Etymology From Latin infractio from infringere to break to violate from in

  • infringe

    Etymology Infringe comes from the Middle French word enfraindre meaning to break or

  • irrefragable

    Etymology Latin irrefrangibilis Prefix ir not Root frangere to break Suff

  • irrefrangible

    Etymology Latin irrefrangibilis unbreakable Late Latin infrangibilis unbreakable i

  • naufragous

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  • ossifrage

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  • refract

    Etymology The word refract comes from the Latin word refringere which means to bre

  • refraction

    Etymology The word refraction originates from the Latin word refringere which mean

  • refrain

    Etymology Old French refraindre Medieval Latin refrangere Latin re back frang

  • refrangible

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  • sassafras

    Etymology Middle English sasfras late 14th century Old French sassafras Latin sass

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  • suffragan

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  • discard

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  • spend

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  • splay

    Etymology English splay Middle English spleyen Old English splecgan Meaning To

  • sport

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  • sibling

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