dispersive

[ dih-spur-siv ]

adjective

1. serving or tending to disperse.

dispersive

/ dɪˈspɜːsɪv /

adjective

1. tending or serving to disperse

Derived Forms

• disˈpersively, adverb
• disˈpersiveness, noun

Other Words From

• dis·persive·ly adverb
• dis·persive·ness noun
• nondis·persive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispersive¹

First recorded in 1620–30; disperse + -ive

Example Sentences

Electrons in materials with flat bands move slowly enough for the particles to work together, but superconductivity might get a boost from “dispersive” bands, where the pairs travel more easily.

From Quanta Magazine

The low dispersive power of water masks, as Helmholtz has remarked, the imperfect achromatism of the eye.

From Project Gutenberg

The refractive and dispersive powers are not high, so that the cut stones display little brilliancy or “fire.”

From Project Gutenberg

There is little axis of direction in the energies put forth; they are largely dispersive and centrifugal.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the dispersive power of flint glass and balsam are about equal, while that of crown glass is considerably less.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr Tyndall has shewn that a perfectly pure gas has no dispersive action.

From Project Gutenberg