-kshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin diffraction-, diffractio, from Latin diffractus (past participle of diffringere to break to pieces, from dif- — from dis- apart — + -fringere, from frangere to break) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at dis- , break
: a modification which light undergoes in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits or in being reflected from ruled surfaces and in which the rays appear to be deflected and produce fringes of parallel light and dark or colored bands ; also : a similar modification of other waves (as sound waves and electromagnetic waves) that occurs whenever the full wave front is not brought to a focus or utilized and that results in the curvature of waves around objects in their path — see electron diffraction