refract — (v.) 1610s, from L. refractus, pp. of refringere (see REFRACTION (Cf. refraction)). Related: Refracted; refracting … Etymology dictionary
refract — [ri frakt′] vt. [< L refractus, pp. of refringere, to turn aside < re , back + frangere, to BREAK] 1. to cause (a ray or wave of light, heat, or sound) to undergo refraction 2. Optics to measure the degree of refraction of (an eye or lens)… … English World dictionary
refraction — [ri frak′shən] n. [LL refractio] 1. the bending of a ray or wave of light, heat, or sound as it passes obliquely from one medium to another of different density, in which its speed is different, or through layers of different density in the same… … English World dictionary
refraction correction — noun (astronomy) The correction made in the calculation of the altitude of a star, planet, etc to allow for the refraction of its light by the earth s atmosphere • • • Main Entry: ↑refract … Useful english dictionary
Refraction — For the property of metals, see refraction (metallurgy). For the magic effect, see David Penn (magician). For the refraction in atmosphere, see Atmospheric refraction. Light on air–plexi surface in this experiment mainly undergoes refraction… … Wikipedia
refraction — refractional, adj. /ri frak sheuhn/, n. 1. Physics. the change of direction of a ray of light, sound, heat, or the like, in passing obliquely from one medium into another in which its wave velocity is different. 2. Ophthalm. a. the ability of the … Universalium
Refraction — In ophthalmology, the bending of light that takes place within the human eye. Refractive errors include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Lenses can be used to control the amount of refraction, correcting… … Medical dictionary
refract — transitive verb Etymology: Latin refractus, past participle of refringere to break open, break up, from re + frangere to break more at break Date: 1612 1. a. to subject (as a ray of light) to refraction b. to alter or distort as if by refraction… … New Collegiate Dictionary
refract — [[t]rɪfræ̱kt[/t]] refracts, refracting, refracted V ERG When a ray of light or a sound wave refracts or is refracted, the path it follows bends at a particular point, for example when it enters water or glass. [V n] As we age the lenses of the… … English dictionary
refraction — re•frac•tion [[t]rɪˈfræk ʃən[/t]] n. 1) opt phs the change of direction of a ray of light, sound, heat, or the like, in passing obliquely from one medium into another in which its wave velocity is different 2) oph a) the ability of the eye to… … From formal English to slang
