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refract

[ ri-frakt ]
/ rÉȘˈfrĂŠkt /
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See synonyms for: refract / refracted on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
to subject to refraction.
to determine the refractive condition of (an eye).
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Origin of refract

1605–15; <Latin refrāctus, past participle of refringere to break, force back, equivalent to re-re- + frac- (variant stem of frangere to break) + -tus past participle suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM refract

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use refract in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for refract

refract
/ (rÉȘˈfrĂŠkt) /

verb (tr)
to cause to undergo refraction
to measure the refractive capabilities of (the eye, a lens, etc)

Derived forms of refract

refractable, adjective

Word Origin for refract

C17: from Latin refractus broken up, from refringere, from re- + frangere to break
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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