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the amount by which a propagating wave is bent

the amount by which a propagating wave is bent

The act of refracting, or the state of being refracted.

The change in the direction of ray of light, heat, or the like, when it enters obliquely a medium of a different density from that through which it has previously moved.

The change in the direction of a ray of light, and, consequently, in the apparent position of a heavenly body from which it emanates, arising from its passage through the earth's atmosphere; -- hence distinguished as atmospheric refraction, or astronomical refraction.

The correction which is to be deducted from the apparent altitude of a heavenly body on account of atmospheric refraction, in order to obtain the true altitude.

The act of refracting, or the state of being refracted.

The change in the direction of ray of light, heat, or the like, when it enters obliquely a medium of a different density from that through which it has previously moved.

The change in the direction of a ray of light, and, consequently, in the apparent position of a heavenly body from which it emanates, arising from its passage through the earth's atmosphere; -- hence distinguished as atmospheric refraction, or astronomical refraction.

The correction which is to be deducted from the apparent altitude of a heavenly body on account of atmospheric refraction, in order to obtain the true altitude.

The change of direction of a ray of light in passing obliquely from one medium to another of different density.

1. The deflection of a ray of light when it passes from one medium into another of different density; in passing from a denser into a rarer medium it is deflected away from a line perpendicular to the surface of the refracting medium, in passing from a rarer to a denser medium it is bent toward this perpendicular line. 2. The act of determining the nature and degree of the refractive errors in the eye and correction of the same by glasses.

Bending or breaking of light rays, due to passing through dissimilar media.

The act of refracting: the change in the direction of a ray of light, heat, etc., when it enters a different medium.

The change of direction of a ray, as of light or heat.

The change in the direction of a ray of light or heat as it passes through a smooth surface into a medium of a different density. Double refraction, the refracting of light in two directions. Astronomical refraction, the apparent angular elevation of the celestial bodies above their true places, due to the refracting power of the air. Angle of refraction, the angle made by a ray of light and a line perpendicular to the surface of the medium through which it is passing.

The bending of a ray of light towards the perpendicular when it passes into a denser medium, as from air into water, and from the perpendicular when it passes into a rarer medium, as from water into air; in mech., the incurvation or change of determination in the body moved; in astron., the apparent angular elevation of celestial bodies above their true places, caused by the refracting power of the atmosphere; double refraction, the refraction of light in two directions, and consequent production of two distinct images.

The change of direction which rays of light experience when they pass obliquely from one medium into another of different density. If the light passes from a rarer to a denser medium, it approaches the perpendicular raised at the point of immersion. The contrary occurs, when it goes from a denser to a rarer medium. The theory of lenses, telescopes, and of the eye, rests entirely on this property of light.

The deviation of light in traversing obliquely a medium of differing density.

Deflection from a straight course; especially the change of direction of rays of light, heat, and sound in passing from one medium to another of different density, or through a medium the density of which is not uniform. See angle of r., under angle, and refractive index, under index.

A number expressing the product of the specific refractive power of a substance by the molecular weight of the latter. This number, when calculated for the different members of an homologous series of organic compounds, is found to vary according to more or less definite rules; and, its value being determined for the elementary bodies, its value for compounds can be deduced, at least in some instances. [Lat.]

n. Act of refracting or state of being refracted;- the change in the direction of a ray of light, heat, or the like, when it enters obliquely a medium of a different density from that through which it has previously moved.