refract
refract Lexical Profile
refract Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To cause a ray of light, sound, heat, or other wave to bend or change direction as it passes obliquely from one medium into another of different density.
"Drops of rainwater in the atmosphere refract sunlight to create a vibrant rainbow."
To alter, filter, or distort the perception or expression of an idea, experience, or event through a particular perspective or medium.
"The novelist refracts complex historical events through the eyes of a young child."
To measure the refractive error or focusing characteristics of an eye in order to prescribe corrective lenses.
"The optometrist refracted both of the patient's eyes before writing a new prescription for reading glasses."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'refract' with 'reflect' or 'diffract': 'refract' means to bend waves as they pass through a medium of different density, 'reflect' means to bounce waves back from a surface, and 'diffract' means to spread waves out as they pass around an obstacle or through a narrow opening.
• Rhymes for refract
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century from Latin refractus, the past participle of refringere ('to break up, break open'), formed from re- ('back') and frangere ('to break').