refract

verb

re·​fract ri-ˈfrakt 

refracted; refracting; refracts

transitive verb

1

a

: to subject (something, such as a ray of light) to refraction

b

: to alter or distort as if by refraction

to refract that familiar world through the mind and heart of a romantic … woman

—Anton Myrer

2

: to determine the refracting power of

Example Sentences

Light is refracted when it hits water.

Recent Examples on the Web

The violence refracts light and crashes into other violences. —Hazlitt, 17 May 2023

The water vapor refracts the intense glare of headlights back toward the driver in a way that actually decreases visibility. —Michelle Hart, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2023

In eyes with regular vision, the cornea refracts incoming light precisely onto the retina at the back of the eye. —Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023

Their every move is broken down ad nauseam, scrutinized in slow motion, refracted through the eyes of analysts and commentators. —Andrew Keh, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2023

The effect is not unlike that of 2019’s competing documentaries about the viral quagmire known as Fyre Festival, with the same details refracted through distinct sensibilities. —Alison Herman, Variety, 25 Apr. 2023

The filmmakers set Franklin up in a posh chair in front of a big window with drawn shades refracting translucent skyline. —Matt Wake | [e-mail], al, 22 Apr. 2023

Not only is Pink Floyd's 1973 progressive rock album, The Dark Side of the Moon, iconic, but so is its simple yet striking cover art: a triangular prism set against a black background with a ray of light refracting through it. —David Chiu, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023

People who get a little rain on Monday or Tuesday night might also get to spot a moonbow, which is like a solar rainbow but produced by moonlight when it’s refracted through water droplets in the air, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 6 Mar. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Latin refractus, past participle of refringere to break open, break up, from re- + frangere to break — more at break

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

refract

verb

re·​fract ri-ˈfrakt 

: to cause to go through refraction

Medical Definition

refract

transitive verb

re·​fract ri-ˈfrakt 

1

: to subject (as a ray of light) to refraction

2

: to determine the refracting power of or abnormality of refraction in (as an eye or a lens)