Diffraction

[dɪ'frækʃn] or [dɪ'frækʃən]

Definition

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

Editor: Solomon--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) 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.

Inputed by Avis