To break the natural course of, as rays of light orr heat, when passing from one transparent medium to another of different density; to cause to deviate from a direct course by an action distinct from reflection; as, a dense medium refrcts the rays of light as they pass into it from a rare medium
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. As we age the lenses of the eyes thicken, and thus refract light differently. surfaces that cause the light to reflect and refract. + refraction re·frac·tion the refraction of the light on the dancing waves. if glass or water refracts light, the light changes direction when it passes through the glass or water (past participle of refringere , from frangere )
When light bends at an interface between two transparent materials We find many things in our everyday experience refracting light: glass, water, air, plastic The illusion of a broken leg dangling in the pool is due to the refraction of light See also index of refraction
refracted
Pronunciation
Etymology
[ ri-'frakt ] (transitive verb.) 1612. Latin refractus, past participle of refringere to break open, break up, from re- + frangere to break; more at BREAK.