Re·fract v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Refracting.]
  1. To bend sharply and abruptly back; to break off.
  2. To break the natural course of, as rays of light orr heat, when passing from one transparent medium to another of different density; to cause to deviate from a direct course by an action distinct from reflection; as, a dense medium refrcts the rays of light as they pass into it from a rare medium.
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  Re·fract·ed, a.
  1. Bot. & Zool. Bent backward angularly, as if half-broken; as, a refracted stem or leaf.
  2. Turned from a direct course by refraction; as, refracted rays of light.
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