/dɪˈfrækt ||; dɪˈfrækt/verb [T] (technical术语) (in physics 物理学) to break up a ray of light or a system of waves by passing them through a narrow opening or across an edge, causing patterns to form between the waves produced (interference) 使（光、波）衍射 ➔diffraction /dɪˈfrækʃn ||; dɪˈfrækʃən/ noun [U]