diacaustic

[ dahy-uh-kaw-stik ]

adjective

1. noting a caustic surface or curve formed by the refraction of light.

noun

1. a diacaustic surface or curve.

diacaustic

/ ˌdaɪəˈkɔːstɪk; -ˈkɒs- /

adjective

1. (of a caustic curve or surface) formed by refracted light rays

noun

1. a diacaustic curve or surface

Word History and Origins

Origin of diacaustic¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; dia- + caustic

Example Sentences

We have in like manner, as derivatives of a given curve, the caustic, catacaustic or diacaustic as the case may be, and the secondary caustic, or curve cutting at right angles the reflected or refracted rays.

From Project Gutenberg

Diacaustic, dī-a-kaws′tik, adj. pertaining to curves formed by the intersections of rays of refracted light.—n. a curve so formed.

From Project Gutenberg

When the refracting curve is a circle and the rays emanate from any point, the locus of the secondary caustic is a Cartesian oval, and the evolute of this curve is the required diacaustic.

From Project Gutenberg

In optics, the term caustic is given to the envelope of luminous rays after reflection or refraction; in the first case the envelope is termed a catacaustic, in the second a diacaustic.

From Project Gutenberg