a. Physics. [f. Gr. ἐπιπολ-ή surface + -IC.] a. Of or pertaining to the surface; taking place on the surface. b. Of or pertaining to epipolism. Epipolic dispersion: Herschel’s term for the dispersion of light on the surface of a body; = FLUORESCENCE.
1845. Herschel, in Phil. Trans., CXXXV. 147. This singular mode of dispersion … which … I shall venture to call … epipolic, from ἐπιπολή, a surface.
1848. W. Grove, Contrib. Sc., in Corr. Phys. Forces (ed. 6), 349. Epipolic actions will … assume a much more important place in physics.
c. 1865. J. Wylde, in Circ. Sc., I. 54/1. Epipolic Dispersion…. We have lately noticed the epipolic appearance whilst pouring semi-congealed oil from a glass bottle.
