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.
Hear it pronounced