refrangible

American  

[ri-fran-juh-buhl] / rɪˈfræn dʒə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being refracted, as rays of light.

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refrangible British  

/ rɪˈfrændʒɪbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being refracted

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Other Word Forms

• refrangibility
  noun
• refrangibleness
  noun
• unrefrangible
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of refrangible

First recorded in 1665–75; re- + frangible

Example Sentences

For if the Rays were all alike refrangible, 'tis impossible that the whiteness, which to the naked Sense appears uniform, should by Refraction have its parts transposed and ranged into those black and white Arcs.

From Opticks or, a Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections, and Colours of Light by Newton, Isaac, Sir

And the contrary happens in the posture of the Paper δε, the more refrangible Rays being then predominant which always tinge Light with blues and violets.

From Opticks or, a Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections, and Colours of Light by Newton, Isaac, Sir

The true nature of dispersion was first demonstrated by Newton, who concluded that the colours of the spectrum were homogeneous and caused by simple vibrations of definite wave-length, the different colours being unequally refrangible.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various

There seem to be rays, therefore, more refrangible than the rays producing light and heat.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 15 — Science by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir

The Sun's Light consists of Rays differing in Reflexibility, and those Rays are more reflexible than others which are more refrangible.

From Opticks or, a Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections, and Colours of Light by Newton, Isaac, Sir