refrangible

[ri-fran-juh-buh l]

adjective

capable of being refracted, as rays of light.

Origin of refrangible

First recorded in 1665–75; re- + frangible

Related formsre·fran·gi·ble·ness, re·fran·gi·bil·i·ty, nounun·re·fran·gi·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for refrangible

Historical Examples of refrangible

Light is decomposed by the prism, because its component parts are refrangible in different degrees, by the same refracting medium.
Conversations on Natural Philosophy, in which the Elements of that Science are Familiarly Explained
Jane Haldimand Marcet and Thomas P. Jones
Minium reflects the least refrangible or red-making Rays most copiously, and thence appears red.
Opticks
Isaac Newton
Violets reflect the most refrangible most copiously, and thence have their Colour, and so of other Bodies.
Opticks
Isaac Newton

British Dictionary definitions for refrangible

refrangible

adjective

capable of being refracted

Derived Formsrefrangibility or refrangibleness, noun

Word Origin for refrangible

C17: from Latin refringere to break up, 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

Word Origin and History for refrangible

adj.

1670s, from stem of Vulgar Latin *refrangere, from re- "back" (see re-) + Latin frangere "to break" (see fraction).