dispersive

adjective

dis·​per·​sive di-ˈspər-siv How to pronounce dispersive (audio)
-ziv
1
: of or relating to dispersion
a dispersive medium
the dispersive power of a lens
2
: tending to disperse
dispersively adverb
dispersiveness noun

Examples of dispersive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web So typically, waves in the deep ocean are dispersive. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 14 June 2023 As a second step, the data signal is stretched in time by the propagation through a dispersive fiber which reduces its analog bandwidth to fit within that of the digitizer. Stephen Ibaraki, Forbes, 12 July 2022 Gillreath-Brown analyzed the tips with a scanning electron microscope, X‑ray florescence and energy dispersive ray spectroscopy. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 28 Feb. 2019 These dispersive trends are clear in Southern California, where net migration out of Los Angeles County runs about four times the rate of neighboring, more suburban Orange County, as migration to places like Riverside County mounts. Wendell Cox, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dispersive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dispersive was in 1677

Dictionary Entries Near dispersive

Cite this Entry

“Dispersive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersive. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

dispersive

adjective
dis·​per·​sive -ˈpər-siv, -ziv How to pronounce dispersive (audio)
1
: of or relating to dispersion
a dispersive medium
the dispersive power of a lens
2
: tending to disperse
dispersiveness noun
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