refractive

[ ri-frak-tiv ]

/ rɪˈfræk tɪv /

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adjective

of or relating to refraction.

Also refractile. having power to refract.

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Origin of refractive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM refractive

re·frac·tive·ly, adverbre·frac·tive·ness, nounnon·re·frac·tive, adjectivenon·re·frac·tive·ly, adverb

non·re·frac·tive·ness, nounun·re·frac·tive, adjectiveun·re·frac·tive·ly, adverbun·re·frac·tive·ness, noun

Words nearby refractive

Ref. Pres., refract, refractile, refracting telescope, refraction, refractive, refractive index, refractivity, refractometer, refractor, refractory

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

How to use refractive in a sentence

Under the one-sixth they appear as slender, highly refractive fibers with double contour and, often, curled or split ends.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Cystin crystals are colorless, highly refractive, rather thick, hexagonal plates with well-defined edges.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Yeast-cells are smooth, colorless, highly refractive, spheric or ovoid cells.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
They consist of a more or less dense network of hyph and numerous round or oval refractive spores.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd

This occurs when, from any cause, such a stratum of air possesses a higher refractive power than the one immediately below it.
The Desert World|Arthur Mangin

British Dictionary definitions for refractive

refractive

/ (rɪˈfræktɪv) /

adjective

of or concerned with refraction

(of a material or substance) capable of causing refraction

Derived forms of refractive

refractively, 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