interference fringe
    n 1: one of the light or dark bands produced by the interference
         and diffraction of light [syn: fringe, interference
         fringe]

Fringe \Fringe\ (fr[i^]nj), n. [OF, fringe, F. frange, prob. fr.
   L. fimbria fiber, thread, fringe, cf. fibra fiber, E. fiber,
   fimbriate.]
   1. An ornamental appendage to the border of a piece of stuff,
      originally consisting of the ends of the warp, projecting
      beyond the woven fabric; but more commonly made separate
      and sewed on, consisting sometimes of projecting ends,
      twisted or plaited together, and sometimes of loose
      threads of wool, silk, or linen, or narrow strips of
      leather, or the like.
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   2. Something resembling in any respect a fringe; a line of
      objects along a border or edge; a border; an edging; a
      margin; a confine.
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            The confines of grace and the fringes of repentance.
                                                  --Jer. Taylor.
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   3. (Opt.) One of a number of light or dark bands, produced by
      the interference of light; a diffraction band; -- called
      also interference fringe.
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   4. (Bot.) The peristome or fringelike appendage of the
      capsules of most mosses. See Peristome.
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Interference \In`ter*fer"ence\, n. [See Interfere.]
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   1. The act or state of interfering; as, the stoppage of a
      machine by the interference of some of its parts; a
      meddlesome interference in the business of others.
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   2. (Physics) The mutual influence, under certain conditions,
      as from streams of light, or pulsations of sound, or,
      generally, two waves or vibrations of any kind, producing
      certain characteristic phenomena, as colored fringes, dark
      bands, or darkness, in the case of light, silence or
      increased intensity in sounds; neutralization or
      superposition of waves generally.
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   Note: The term is most commonly applied to light, and the
         undulatory theory of light affords the proper
         explanation of the phenomena which are considered to be
         produced by the superposition of waves, and are thus
         substantially identical in their origin with the
         phenomena of heat, sound, waves of water, and the like.
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   3. (Patent Law) The act or state of interfering, or of
      claiming a right to the same invention.
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   Interference figures (Optics), the figures observed when
      certain sections of crystallized bodies are viewed in
      converging polarized light; thus, a section of a uniaxial
      crystal, cut normal to the vertical axis, shows a series
      of concentric colored rings with a single black cross; --
      so called because produced by the interference of luminous
      waves.

   Interference fringe. (Optics) See Fringe.
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