refractive
UK[rɪˈfræktɪv]US[rɪˈfræktɪv]
adj
Describing the ability of a substance to make light change direction when it enters it at an angle.
adj
Relating to the refraction of light or other radiation.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
fract
ive
re
again, back
fract
break
ive
adjective-forming suffix
Etymology
The word "refractive" is built upon the concept of "bending back," derived from the Latin verb refringere, itself a compound of re- ("back") and frangere ("to break"). In classical Latin, refringere literally meant "to break open" or "to break back," but its application to light evolved from the understanding that a light ray appears to "break" or bend when it passes from one medium into another. The suffix -ivus was added to form the Late Latin adjective refractivus, which entered English as "refractive" to specifically describe the property of causing this optical bending, or refraction, of waves.
Analysis
Structure: re (again, back) + fract (break) + ive (adjective-forming suffix)
- re: A Latin prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- fract: A root from the Latin verb frangere, meaning "to break".
- ive: A suffix from Latin -ivus, used to form adjectives meaning "having the nature or quality of".
Examples
The refractive index of water is lower than that of glass.
Diamonds have a high refractive quality, which gives them their brilliant sparkle.
The study focused on the refractive properties of various atmospheric gases.