refract

UK: /rɪˈfrækt/ US: /rɪˈfrækt/ ,(ri frakt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•fract /rɪˈfrækt/   v. [~ + object]

1. Optics to cause a ray of light to change direction as it passes through different substances, as glass or water, at an angle.

See -frac-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•fract  (ri frakt′), v.t. 

1. Optics to subject to refraction.
2. to determine the refractive condition of (an eye).

• Latin refrāctus, past participle of refringere to break, force back, equivalent. to re- re- + frac- (variant stem of frangere to break) + -tus past participle suffix
• 1605–15

re•fract′a•ble, adj. 
re•fract′ed•ly, adv. 
re•fract′ed•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

refract / rɪˈfrækt/ verb (transitive)

1. to cause to undergo refraction
2. to measure the refractive capabilities of (the eye, a lens, etc)

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin refractus broken up, from refringere, from re- + frangere to break

reˈfractable adjective