dispersion

dis·per·sion

noun \di-ˈspər-zhən, -shən\

Definition of DISPERSION

1

capitalized : diaspora 1a

2

: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed

3

: the scattering of the values of a frequency distribution from an average

4

: the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum; also : the separation of radiation into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (as energy)

5

a : a dispersed substance

b : a system consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid 2b

Examples of DISPERSION

1. <the dispersion of energy from a source>

First Known Use of DISPERSION

14th century

Related to DISPERSION

Synonyms

disbandment, dispersal, scattering, dissipation

Related Words

diffusion, dissemination; breakup, dissolution, disunion, separation, split

Near Antonyms

assembly, collection, concentration, gathering

Rhymes with DISPERSION

aspersion, aversion, coercion, conversion, diversion, emersion, eversion, excursion, immersion, incursion, inversion, perversion, recursion, reversion, submersion, subversion

dis·per·sion

noun \dis-ˈpər-zhən, -shən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DISPERSION

1

: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed

2

: the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum; also : the separation of radiation into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (as energy)

3

a : a dispersed substance b : a system consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid 2b—called also disperse system

dispersion

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any phenomenon associated with the propagation of individual waves at speeds that depend on their wavelengths. Wavelength determines the speeds at which waves travel through media. This variation in speed causes radiation to separate into components that have different frequencies and wavelengths. For example, when a beam of white light is sent through a glass prism, refraction causes the beam to disperse into an array of its component colours of light, producing a rainbowlike effect.