\Re*fract"\ (r?*fr$kt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Refracted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Refracting}.] [L. refractus, p.
p. of refringere; pref. re- re- + frangere to break: cf. F.
r['e]fracter. SEe {FRacture}, and cf. {Refrain}, n.]
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.