■ verb
1》 (of water, air, or glass) make (a ray of light) change direction when it enters at an angle.
↘change the direction of propagation of (radio, sound, or other waves) by causing them to travel at different speeds at different points along the wave front.
2》 measure the focusing characteristics of (an eye).
Origin
C17: from L. ~- , refringere 'break up'.