refraction
|re-frac-tion|
🇺🇸
/rɪˈfrækʃən/
🇬🇧
/rɪˈfrækʃ(ə)n/
bending of waves/light
Etymology
'refraction' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'refractio', where the root 'refringere' (re- 'back' + frangere 'to break') meant 'to break (back)'.
'refraction' came into English via Middle English/Old French (Old French 'refraction') from Latin 'refractio', which in turn derived from the verb 'refringere'.
Initially it meant 'a breaking' (from Latin), and over time it evolved into the technical sense 'the bending of light or waves' used in modern physics and optics.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the bending or change of direction of a wave, such as light or sound, when it passes from one medium into another in which its speed is different.
Refraction causes a straw in a glass of water to appear bent.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
in optics/optometry, the measurement or degree to which light is bent by the eye or by lenses; often used in the context of measuring refractive error for prescribing glasses.
The patient had a refraction to determine the correct prescription for eyeglasses.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/16 07:53