Dispersion Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈdɪspərʒən/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A spreading or scattering of particles or energy, often in a specific pattern, such as light passing through a prism or sound waves dispersing in a medium.

Examples

• The astronomer observed the dispersion of starlight through the atmosphere.
• Sound waves disperse in the air, causing echoes to repeat.

Synonyms

• Spreading
• Scattering
• Diffusion

Antonyms

• Concentration
• Aggregation

Additional Information

In optics and spectroscopy, dispersion refers to the separation of white light into its constituent colors, often as a result of passing through a prism. This phenomenon is used to analyze the composition of light and identify specific wavelengths. In other contexts, dispersion can occur in various fields, including physics, biology, chemistry, and linguistics. For instance, in the study of language, dispersion can refer to the spread of linguistic features or dialects across a population or region.

Etymology

The word dispersion comes from the Latin words “dis” meaning “apart” and “persio” meaning “a throwing or scattering”, combining to convey the idea of throwing or scattering apart.

Usage Notes

Dispersion is often used in technical contexts, such as optics, physics, and chemistry, where it refers to a specific phenomenon or process. In everyday language, however, the term may be used more broadly to describe any situation where particles or energy spread or scatter.

Cultural References

Dispersion has been featured in various scientific and educational contexts, including documentaries, films, and online lectures.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“The light of the world disperses” – a phrase used to describe the spread of information or knowledge.

Related Words or Phrases

Diffusion, Scattering, Spreading

Collocations

Dispersion of particles, Dispersion of light, Dispersion of sound

Frequency of Use

Dispersion is a moderately rare term in everyday language, but it is frequently used in technical and scientific contexts.

Common Misspellings

Disperission, Dispersin, Disperension