Refractions

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The bending of light as it passes through different mediums, resulting in a change of direction or speed
2. the alteration of a wave's path when it enters a medium of different density, often causing visual distortions
3. the scientific examination of how light shifts as it travels through substances, affecting the appearance and colors observed

Etymology: "Refractions" is the plural of "refraction", which is the bending of light as it passes from one medium into another, such as air into water or glass. The noun comes from Latin "refrāctiō", a formation built on "refringere", meaning "to break up" or "to break open," from "re-" (back, again) and "frangere" (to break). The Latin verb is therefore a compound of "frangere" with a prefix, so the underlying idea is of something broken or split apart. In English, the noun was borrowed directly from that Latin form, so it kept the sense of breaking or bending rather than any reference to light. The plural form, "refractions," simply counts separate instances of this bending, as when light passes through several lenses or prisms and bends at each boundary.

Synonyms: bending, deflections