Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
re·fract
\\ri-ˈfrakt\\ transitive verb ETYMOLOGY Latin refractus, past participle of refringere to break open, break up, from re- + frangere to break — more at break
DATE 1612
1.
a. to subject (as a ray of light) to refraction
b. to alter or distort as if by refraction
to refract that familiar world through the mind and heart of a romantic…woman — Anton Myrer2. to determine the refracting power of Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
refract
re·fract / ri5frAkt / verb [VN]
(physics 物) (of water, air, glass, etc. 水、空气、玻璃等) to make light change direction when it goes through at an angle
使(光线)折射；使产生折射:
Light is refracted when passed through a prism.
光通过棱镜时产生折射。
• re·frac·tion / ri5frAkFn / noun [U]
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
re·fractI. \rə̇ˈfrakt, rēˈf-\
transitive verb
(
-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Latin
refractus, past participle of
refringere to refract, break off, from
re- + frangere to break — more at
break
1. obsolete : reflect
2. obsolete : to break up
: divide
3. : to subject (rays of light) to refraction
4. : to determine the refracting power of or abnormality of refraction in (as an eye or a lens)
II. adjectiveEtymology: Latin
refractus, past participle of
refringereobsolete : refracted
III. transitive verb: to alter or distort as if by refraction
< to refract that familiar world through the mind and heart of a romantic … woman — Anton Myrer >