Dictionary:Huygens’ principle

{{#category_index:H|Huygens’ principle}} (hī g∂nz) The concept that every point on a wavefront can be regarded as the source of a subsequent wave (a Huygens’ wave). Destructive interference destroys the subsequent waves except along the common tangent. Thus a later wavefront is the envelope tangent to all the subsequent waves. See Figure H-9. Named for Christian Huygens (1629–1695), Dutch mathematician.