refraction

noun — 2 senses

refraction

noun

/ɹəˈfɹækʃən/

Etymology Borrowed from Latin refrāctiō.

1

Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics The turning or bending of any wave, such as a light or sound wave, when it passes from one medium into another of different optical density.

2

Engineering, Metallurgy, Natural sciences, Physical sciences The degree to which a metal or compound can withstand heat

Derived terms
angle of refraction, astronomical refraction, astronomic refraction, atmospheric refraction, autorefraction, double refraction, index of refraction, nonrefraction, overrefraction, photorefraction, refractionist
Related terms
refractive, refractory

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.