refraction
rɪˈfrækʃən
Definition Synonyms

Definition of refraction - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
physicsTECH.bending of light or sound wavesTECH.
  • Refraction causes a straw to look bent in water.
bending deflection
2.
astronomyTECH.apparent position change of celestial bodiesTECH.
  • Refraction makes stars appear higher in the sky.
bending deflection
3.
optometryTECH.determination of eye's refractive conditionTECH.
  • Refraction tests are essential for prescribing glasses.
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Expressions with refraction

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angle between refracted ray and perpendicular line
The angle of refraction determines how the light bends.
measure of how much light or radiation is bent in a material
The index of refraction of water is higher than that of air..
separation of light into two polarized rays
Calcite crystals show double refraction of light.

Origin of refraction

Latin, refractio (a breaking back)

Terms with refraction included in their meaning

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physics
causing refraction of light or sound waves
optics
able to separate spectral colors by refraction
radiation
measure of radiation refraction at media interface
refraction
faulty refraction of light in the eye
optics
related to the refraction of light
meteorology
colorful arc in the sky from sunlight refraction
optics
line through lens center with no refraction
crystallography
direction in crystal with no double refraction

Examples of refraction in a sentence

  • The lens uses refraction to focus light.
  • Refraction can distort the view of planets.
  • Astronomers account for refraction when observing stars.
  • The optometrist performed a refraction to update my prescription.
  • Accurate refraction is crucial for contact lens fitting.

View all translations of refraction

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:réfraction, ...
  2. German:Brechung, Lichtbrechung, ...
  3. Italian:rifrazione, ...
  4. Spanish:refracción, ...
  5. Portuguese:refração, ...
  6. Chinese:折射, 光折射, ...
  7. Japanese:屈折, 屈折現象, ...
  8. Arabic:اِنْكِسَار, فَحْص الانْكِسَار, ...
  9. Hebrew:שְׁבִירָה, שְׁבִירָה, ...
  10. Russian:преломление, ...
  11. Ukrainian:заломлення, ...
  12. Hindi:अपवर्तन, विपथन, ...
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