refractive

[ri-frak-tiv]

adjective

of or relating to refraction.

Also refractile. having power to refract.

Origin of refractive

First recorded in 1665–75, refractive is from the Late Latin word refrāctīvus (of pronouns) reflexive. See refract, -ive

Related formsre·frac·tive·ly, adverbre·frac·tive·ness, nounnon·re·frac·tive, adjectivenon·re·frac·tive·ly, adverbnon·re·frac·tive·ness, nounun·re·frac·tive, adjectiveun·re·frac·tive·ly, adverbun·re·frac·tive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for refractive

Historical Examples of refractive

Thus they remained ignorant of the refractive powers of the air.
Myths and Marvels of Astronomy
Richard A. Proctor
It is perfectly transparent, yet it has refractive qualities.
Empire
Clifford Donald Simak
The refractive index of the liquid for the D sodium ray is 1.2236.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 7
Various
It has the least refractive power on light of any body known.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II
Arnold Cooley
This effect, like the refractive power and focal distance, varies in degree in different diaphanous substances.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley

British Dictionary definitions for refractive

refractive

adjective

of or concerned with refraction

(of a material or substance) capable of causing refraction

Derived Formsrefractively, adverbrefractiveness or refractivity (ˌriːfrækˈtɪvɪtɪ), noun

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

Word Origin and History for refractive

adj.

1670s, from Late Latin refractivus, or from refract + -ive.