refract

Meaning

1. (transitive) Of a medium, substance, object, etc.: to deflect the course of (light rays), esp. when they enter the medium, etc., at an oblique angle; to cause refraction of (light, other electromagnetic radiation, or sound or other wave phenomena).
2. (figuratively, transitive) To mediate; to alter; to distort.
3. (transitive) To cause (light) to change direction as a result of entering a different medium.
4. (transitive) To measure, and often also to correct with lenses, the refractive error of (an eye) or the eyes of (a person).

Synonyms

bend

diffract

dioptric

have down

interception

master

reflect

refraction

swerve

put about

refringence

Translations

rifrangere

breken

refractar

brechen

διαθλώ

rifrangersi

réfracter

kırmak

إنكسر

kırıp yansıtmak

refractar

ablenken

μεταστρέφω

infléchir

refranga

Etymology

From Latin refrāctum, neuter form of refrāctus, the past participle of refringō, itself from re- (“again”) + frangō (“I break”).