refractive

[ ri-frak-tiv ]

adjective
  1. of or relating to refraction.

  2. Also refractile. having power to refract.

Origin of refractive

1
First recorded in 1665–75, refractive is from the Late Latin word refrāctīvus (of pronouns) reflexive. See refract, -ive

Other words from refractive

  • re·frac·tive·ly, adverb
  • re·frac·tive·ness, noun
  • non·re·frac·tive, adjective
  • non·re·frac·tive·ly, adverb
  • non·re·frac·tive·ness, noun
  • un·re·frac·tive, adjective
  • un·re·frac·tive·ly, adverb
  • un·re·frac·tive·ness, noun

Words Nearby refractive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use refractive in a sentence

  • Under the one-sixth they appear as slender, highly refractive fibers with double contour and, often, curled or split ends.

    A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
  • Cystin crystals are colorless, highly refractive, rather thick, hexagonal plates with well-defined edges.

    A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
  • Yeast-cells are smooth, colorless, highly refractive, spheric or ovoid cells.

    A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
  • They consist of a more or less dense network of hyph and numerous round or oval refractive spores.

    A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
  • This occurs when, from any cause, such a stratum of air possesses a higher refractive power than the one immediately below it.

    The Desert World | Arthur Mangin

British Dictionary definitions for refractive

refractive

/ (rɪˈfræktɪv) /


adjective
  1. of or concerned with refraction

  2. (of a material or substance) capable of causing refraction

Derived forms of refractive

  • refractively, adverb
  • refractiveness or refractivity (ˌriːfrækˈtɪvɪtɪ), noun

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