circular dichroism

noun

1

: the property (as of an optically active medium) of unequal absorption of right and left plane-polarized light so that the emergent light is elliptically polarized

2

: a spectroscopic technique that makes use of circular dichroism

Examples of circular dichroism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This effect, known as photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD), describes how electrons are emitted differently depending on whether a molecule is left- or right-handed. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for circular dichroism

• pleochroism
• jingoism

Medical Definition

circular dichroism

noun

1

: the property (as of an optically active medium) of unequal absorption of right and left plane-polarized light so that the emergent light is elliptically polarized

2

: a spectroscopic technique that makes use of circular dichroism