refractometer
|re-frac-tom-e-ter|
🇺🇸
/rɪˌfrækˈtɑːmɪtər/
🇬🇧
/rɪˌfrækˈtɒmɪtə/
measuring refraction
Etymology
'refractometer' originates from 'refract' and the suffix '-meter', where 'refract' comes from Latin 'refringere' meaning 'to break up' and '-meter' from Greek 'metron' meaning 'measure'.
'refractometer' was formed in the 19th century by combining 'refract' and '-meter', and eventually became the modern English word 'refractometer'.
Initially, it meant 'an instrument for measuring refraction', and this meaning has remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an instrument used to measure the refractive index of a substance, typically liquids.
The scientist used a refractometer to determine the sugar content in the juice.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/02 12:05