mirage - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about mirage Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,508,928,167 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

mirage

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.52 sec.

mirage

Illusion caused by refraction of light in various atmospheric conditions. Mirages include the appearance of pools of water in the desert or on hot roads, or of places beyond the horizon apparently floating above it.

When there are hot layers of air near the ground, light rays from the sky near the horizon bend as they pass through them, so that they appear to come from the horizon. Because the light is from a blue sky, the horizon appears blue and watery. If, during the night, cold air collects near the ground, light can be bent in the opposite direction, so that objects below the horizon appear to float above it. In the same way, objects such as trees or rocks near the horizon can appear enlarged.



How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
 Email
Feedback
?Sign in SSL protected
Email:
Password:
Register

? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
That is a mirage, cheap mirage, revolting, romantic and fantastical--that's another ball on Lake Como.
Notes from the Underground by Dostoyevsky, Fyodor View in context
Yet there has always been this essential difference between them, that while the Buddhist regards the senses as windows looking out upon unreality and mirage, to the Taoist they are doors through which the freed soul rushes to mingle with the colours and tones and contours of the universe.
A Lute of Jade by Cranmer-Byng, L. View in context
Waste forces within him, and a desert all around, this man stood still on his way across a silent terrace, and saw for a moment, lying in the wilderness before him, a mirage of honourable ambition, self-denial, and perseverance.
A Tale Of Two Cities by Dickens, Charles View in context
More results
 
Hutchinson browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Hutchinson Encyclopedia
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.