schlieren

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US/ˈʃlɪɹ.ən/UK/ˈʃlɪəɹən/

noun

Regions of a fluid having different refractive index because of their different density.

OriginGerman Schlieren →
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Meanings

nounschlieren pl (normally plural, singular schliere)

singular schliere

  1. pluralplural normallyRegions of a fluid having different refractive index because of their different density.
  2. pluralplural normallygeographyIrregular streaks of different composition in some igneous rocks.

Origin

  1. GermanSchlieren
  2. Englishschlieren

From German Schlieren, plural of Schliere (“streak”). Compare with Latin calere, whence English scald.

More words from German

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

schlieren. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/schlieren

MLA

“schlieren.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/schlieren. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “schlieren,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/schlieren.

Source: schlieren on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.