refraction
noun
the change of direction of a ray of light, sound, heat, or the like, in passing obliquely from one medium into another in which its wave velocity is different.
refractions
-
pluralof refraction.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is variegated with mingled, microtonal refractions from the window and the mirror.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
Through the mirror’s warp, this mutual curiosity between the viewer and the viewed is mediated by refractions, glimmers and illusions.
From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2025
Predominantly transparent, the sculptures gather light and focus refractions within their colorful optical space.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2022
Strangely, through these refractions, we receive a smoother, more cohesive sense of a man so adept at toying with his audience, on and off the screen.
From New York Times ● Apr. 6, 2021
Aristotle had said that rainbows are the result of reflection, while Theodoric showed that they were the result of two refractions and two reflections within each drop of water.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
