n.
Pronunciation: di- ' frak-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin diffraction-, diffractio, from Latin diffringere to break apart, from dis- + frangere to break ― more at BREAK
Date: 1671
: a modification which light undergoes especially in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow openings and in which the rays appear to be deflected also : a similar modification of other waves (as sound waves) or of moving particles (as electrons)