DIFFORM Dif"form`, a. Etym: [Cf. F. difforme, fr. L. dif- = dis- + forma form. Cf. Deform.]
Defn: Irregular in form; — opposed to uniform; anomalous; hence, unlike; dissimilar; as, to difform corolla, the parts of which do not correspond in size or proportion; difform leaves. The unequal refractions of difform rays. Sir I. Newton.
DIFFORMITY
Dif*form"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. difformité. See Difform, Deformity.]
Defn: Irregularity of form; diversity of form; want of uniformity.
[Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
DIFFRACT
Dif*fract", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diffracted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Diffracting.] Etym: [L. diffractus, p. p. of diffringere to break in
pieces; dif- = dis- + frangere to break. See Fracture.]
Defn: To break or separate into parts; to deflect, or decompose by deflection, a
DIFFRACTION
Dif*frac"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. diffraction.] (Opt.)
Defn: 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.
DIFFRACTIVE
Dif*frac"tive, a.
Defn: That produces diffraction.