Zeeman effect: Meaning and Definition of

Zee'man effect"

Pronunciation: [key]
— Physics, Optics. Physics,Optics.
  1. the dividing of a spectral line or lines as a result of placing a radiation source in a magnetic field. The division consists of three equally spaced linesin systems for which the spin quantum number is zero, or of three or more unequally spaced linesin systems for which the spin quantum number is not zero. Also calledCf.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.