dispersion


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dis·per·sion

 (dĭ-spûr′zhən, -shən)
n.
1.
a. The act or process of dispersing.
b. The state of being dispersed.
2. Dispersion The Diaspora of the Jews.
3. Statistics The degree of scatter of data, usually about an average value, such as the median.
4. Physics
a. Separation of a complex wave into its component parts according to a given characteristic, such as frequency or wavelength.
b. Separation of visible light into colors by refraction or diffraction.
5. Chemistry See disperse system.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

dispersion

(dɪˈspɜːʃən)
n
1. another word for dispersal
2. (General Physics) physics
a. the separation of electromagnetic radiation into constituents of different wavelengths
b. a measure of the ability of a substance to separate by refraction, expressed by the first differential of the refractive index with respect to wavelength at a given value of wavelength. Symbol: D
3. (Statistics) statistics the degree to which values of a frequency distribution are scattered around some central point, usually the arithmetic mean or median
4. (Chemistry) chem a system containing particles dispersed in a solid, liquid, or gas
5. (Military) military the pattern of fire from a weapon system
6. (Astronomy)
a. the range of speeds of such objects as the stars in a galaxy
b. the frequency-dependent retardation of radio waves as they pass through the interstellar medium
c. the deviation of a rocket from its prescribed path
7. (Biology) ecology the distribution pattern of an animal or a plant population

Dispersion

(dɪˈspɜːʃən)
n
1. (Historical Terms) the Dispersion another name for the Diaspora
2. (Peoples) the Dispersion another name for the Diaspora
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dis•per•sion

(dɪˈspɜr ʒən, -ʃən)

n.
1. Also, dispersal. an act or instance of dispersing or a state of being dispersed.
2.
a. the variation of the index of refraction of a transparent substance, as glass, with the wavelength of light.
b. the separation of white or compound light into its respective colors, as in the formation of a spectrum by a prism.
3. the scattering of values of a statistical variable around the mean or median of a distribution.
4. Also called disperse′ sys`tem. a system of dispersed particles suspended in a solid, liquid, or gas.
5. (cap.) Diaspora (def. 1).
[1350–1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

dis·per·sion

(dĭ-spûr′zhən)
The separation of light or other radiation into individual components, usually according to frequency and wavelength. When a beam of white light (light that contains all colors) passes through a prism, for example, dispersion causes it to separate into the seven colors of the rainbow.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

dispersion

1. A scattered pattern of hits around the mean point of impact of bombs and projectiles dropped or fired under identical conditions.
2. In antiaircraft gunnery, the scattering of shots in range and deflection about the mean point of explosion.
3. The spreading or separating of troops, materiel, establishments, or activities which are usually concentrated in limited areas to reduce vulnerability.
4. In chemical and biological operations, the dissemination of agents in liquid or aerosol form.
5. In airdrop operations, the scatter of personnel and/or cargo on the drop zone.
6. In naval control of shipping, the reberthing of a ship in the periphery of the port area or in the vicinity of the port for its own protection in order to minimize the risk of damage from attack. See also circular error probable; convoy dispersal point; delivery error; deviation; dispersion error; horizontal error.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.

dispersion

Small particles distributed in a fluid.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.dispersion - spreading widely or driving off
Diaspora - the dispersion of the Jews outside Israel; from the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 587-86 BC when they were exiled to Babylonia up to the present time
dissipation - breaking up and scattering by dispersion; "the dissipation of the mist"
spread, spreading - process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
2.dispersion - the spatial or geographic property of being scattered about over a range, area, or volume; "worldwide in distribution"; "the distribution of nerve fibers"; "in complementary distribution"
spatial arrangement, spacing - the property possessed by an array of things that have space between them
complementary distribution, complementation - (linguistics) a distribution of related speech sounds or forms in such a way that they only appear in different contexts
diaspora - the dispersion or spreading of something that was originally localized (as a people or language or culture)
dissemination, diffusion - the property of being diffused or dispersed
innervation - the distribution of nerve fibers to an organ or body region
scatter, spread - a haphazard distribution in all directions
3.dispersion - the act of dispersing or diffusing something; "the dispersion of the troops"; "the diffusion of knowledge"
spreading, spread - act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
crop-dusting, spraying - the dispersion of fungicides or insecticides or fertilizer on growing crops (often from a low-flying aircraft)
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

dispersion

noun
The passing out or spreading about of something:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
References in classic literature ?
It could not have been otherwise after the terrible derangement of the atmospheric strata, and the dispersion of the enormous quantity of vapor arising from the combustion of
So saying, he prepared to leave the lists with his glittering train, and his turning his steed for that purpose, was the signal for the breaking up and dispersion of the spectators.
Prince John resumed his retreat from the lists, and the dispersion of the multitude became general.
Once the tumultuous upheaval of its dispersion was over, the black smoke clung so closely to the ground, even before its precipitation, that fifty feet up in the air, on the roofs and upper stories of high houses and on great trees, there was a chance of escaping its poison altogether, as was proved even that night at Street Cobham and Ditton.
When invading hostile territory, the general principle is, that penetrating deeply brings cohesion; penetrating but a short way means dispersion.
Pennifeather, came at length to the determination of dispersion over the adjacent country in search of the missing Mr.
This joyousness and dispersion of thought before a task of some importance seems to prove that this world of ours is not such a very serious affair after all.
'I am sorry,' said I, laughing afresh, 'to have occasioned such a dispersion.'
The dispersion of the best ideas over the greatest area."
Stiggins to strong lodgings for the night, and could hear the noise occasioned by the dispersion in various directions of the members of the Brick Lane Branch of the United Grand Junction Ebenezer Temperance Association.
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