v.tr. Physics (of the edge of an opaque body, a narrow slit, etc.) break up (a beam of light) into a series of dark or light bands or coloured spectra, or (a beam of radiation or particles) into a series of alternately high and low intensities.
Derivatives:
diffraction n. diffractive adj. diffractively adv.
Etymology: L diffringere diffract- (as DIS-, frangere break)