ENGLISH
REFERENCE

refractive

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ɹəˈfɹæktɪv// UK //ɹɪfɹˈæktɪv// re·frac·tive

adj. describing something that causes light to change direction as it passes through. You use this to talk about how glass or water bends light.

adj. relating to the bending of light or other electromagnetic radiation as it passes from one medium to another. Often describes the physical property of a material that causes this change in direction.


SIMPLE

The lens has a high refractive index.

CONTEXTUAL

Opticians use refractive materials to correct vision by bending light to focus it properly on the retina.

COMPLEX

The unique refractive properties of the gemstone cause it to display a brilliant spectrum of colors when viewed from different angles under bright light.

Synonyms
Origin

From refract + -ive.

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