Category:Refract

Re*fract" (r*fr$kt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Refracting.] Etym: [l. refractus, p. p. of refringere; pref. re- re- + frangere to break: cf. F. réfracter. See fracture, and cf. Refrain, N.]

1. To bend sharply and abruptly back; to break off.

2. 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.