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
Anton Myrer2
: to determine the refracting power of
Example Sentences
Light is refracted when it hits water.
Recent Examples on the Web Hanging artwork framed behind reflective glass and mirrors on adjacent walls will also refract light. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2022 This is why Project Max, by design, weaves together three pillars that reflect and refract the power of sport in society. Lee Igel, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 But very heavy snow may still refract radio waves, reducing your signal strength. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 20 May 2017 Drive through dust or precipitation, and those roof lights will also refract off those particles right in front of your eyes. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 26 Jan. 2021 The impetus, conscious or not, is to preserve memories and nourish nostalgia, if not to refract the past through the evolving contexts of an unknown future, one that is more often than not carelessly considered to be guaranteed. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2022 When someone develops myopia, their eye grows incorrectly, which leads the light entering the eyeball to refract incorrectly and converge in front of the retina instead of on it. Fortune, 12 Jan. 2022 Projected SolidLight objects accurately move, refract and reflect as if in real space. Tom Coughlin, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2021 Just adding five milligrams will change the color of an entire kilogram of cellulose, making the crystals refract shorter wavelengths, like greens and blues. Sara Harrison, Wired, 6 Dec. 2021 See More
Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2022 This is why Project Max, by design, weaves together three pillars that reflect and refract the power of sport in society. Lee Igel, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 But very heavy snow may still refract radio waves, reducing your signal strength. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 20 May 2017 Drive through dust or precipitation, and those roof lights will also refract off those particles right in front of your eyes. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 26 Jan. 2021 The impetus, conscious or not, is to preserve memories and nourish nostalgia, if not to refract the past through the evolving contexts of an unknown future, one that is more often than not carelessly considered to be guaranteed. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2022 When someone develops myopia, their eye grows incorrectly, which leads the light entering the eyeball to refract incorrectly and converge in front of the retina instead of on it. Fortune, 12 Jan. 2022 Projected SolidLight objects accurately move, refract and reflect as if in real space. Tom Coughlin, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2021 Just adding five milligrams will change the color of an entire kilogram of cellulose, making the crystals refract shorter wavelengths, like greens and blues. Sara Harrison, Wired, 6 Dec. 2021 See More 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
refracted; refracting
: to make (light) bend when it passes through at an angle Prisms refract light.
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)