refraction

refraction
refraction [ri frak′shən]
n.
[LL refractio]
1. the bending of a ray or wave of light, heat, or sound as it passes obliquely from one medium to another of different density, in which its speed is different, or through layers of different density in the same medium
2. Astron. the bending of the rays of light from a star or planet, greatest when the star or planet is lowest in the sky, so that it seems higher than it really is
3. Optics
a) the ability of the eye to refract light entering it, so as to form an image on the retina
b) the measuring of the degree of refraction of an eye

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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Synonyms:
(of rays),


Look at other dictionaries:

  • réfraction — [ refraksjɔ̃ ] n. f. • 1270; lat. refractio, de refringere « briser » ♦ Phys. Déviation d un rayon lumineux ou d une onde électromagnétique, qui franchit la surface de séparation de deux milieux, dans lesquels les vitesses de propagation sont… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Refraction — Réfraction Le pinceau nous paraît brisé à cause de la réfraction de la lumière lorsque celle ci traverse le dioptre eau air. La réfraction, en physique des ondes notamment en optique, acoustique et sismologie est un phénomène de déviation d une… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Refraction — Re*frac tion (r?*fr?k sh?n), n. [F. r[ e]fraction.] 1. The act of refracting, or the state of being refracted. [1913 Webster] 2. The change in the direction of ray of light, heat, or the like, when it enters obliquely a medium of a different… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • refraction — Refraction. subst. fem. Brisure. Ce qui arrive quand un rayon passe par des milieux differents. Un baston dans l eau paroist rompu à cause de la refraction …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Refraction — Refraction, so v.w. Brechung. R. der Lichtstrahlen, s. u. Licht F) …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Refraction — Refraction, s. Strahlenbrechung; Refractor, ein dioptrisches Fernrohr …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • refraction — (n.) 1570s, from L.L. refractionem (nom. refractio) a breaking up, noun of action from pp. stem of L. refringere to break up, from re back (see RE (Cf. re )) + comb. form of frangere to break (see FRACTION (Cf. fraction)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • refraction — ► NOUN ▪ the fact or phenomenon of being refracted …   English terms dictionary

  • Réfraction — Le pinceau nous paraît brisé à cause de la réfraction de la lumière lorsque celle ci traverse le dioptre eau air …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Refraction — For the property of metals, see refraction (metallurgy). For the magic effect, see David Penn (magician). For the refraction in atmosphere, see Atmospheric refraction. Light on air–plexi surface in this experiment mainly undergoes refraction… …   Wikipedia

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