REFRACTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does refractive mean? 

• REFRACTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective REFRACTIVE has 2 senses:

1. of or relating to or capable of refraction

2. capable of changing the direction (of a light or sound wave)

  Familiarity information: REFRACTIVE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• REFRACTIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or capable of refraction

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

refractile; refractive

Context example:

the refractive characteristics of the eye

Pertainym:

refraction (the change in direction of a propagating wave (light or sound) when passing from one medium to another)

Derivation:

refract (determine the refracting power of (a lens))

refract (subject to refraction)

refractiveness; refractivity (the physical property of a medium as determined by its index of refraction)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Capable of changing the direction (of a light or sound wave)

Synonyms:

deflective; refractive

Similar:

crooked (having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned)

Derivation:

refract (determine the refracting power of (a lens))

refract (subject to refraction)

refractiveness; refractivity (the physical property of a medium as determined by its index of refraction)

 Context examples 

It has a refractive index lower than the crystalline lens, which it surrounds, and is involved in the metabolism of the cornea and the crystalline lens.

(Aqueous Humor, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Small differences in optical path length due to differences in refractive index and thickness of structures are visualised as differences in light intensity.

(Phase-Contrast Microscopy, NCI Thesaurus)

Microcysts are small (typically 10-50 microns in diameter), clear, irregularly shaped high refractive inclusions that form in the basal layers of the epithelium and move towards the anterior surface of the cornea, surrounding epithelial haze.

(Microcystic Corneal Edema, NCI Thesaurus)