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refraction | riˈfrak sh ən |noun Physicsthe fact or phenomenon of light, radio waves, etc., being deflected in passing obliquely through the interface between one medium and another or through a medium of varying density.
• change in direction of propagation of any wave as a result of its traveling at different speeds at different points along the wave front.
• measurement of the focusing characteristics of an eye or eyes.
ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from late Latin refractio(n-), from refringere ‘break up’ (see refract ).
transitive |ˈtransitiv; ˈtranz-|
adjective
1 Grammar (of a verb or a sense or use of a verb) able to take a direct object (expressed or implied), e.g., saw in he saw the donkey. The opposite of intransitive .
2 Logic & Mathematics (of a relation) such that, if it applies between successive members of a sequence, it must also apply between any two members taken in order. For instance, if A is larger than B, and B is larger than C, then A is larger than C.
transitive |ˈtransitiv; ˈtranz-|
adjective
1 Grammar (of a verb or a sense or use of a verb) able to take a direct object (expressed or implied), e.g., saw in he saw the donkey. The opposite of intransitive .
2 Logic & Mathematics (of a relation) such that, if it applies between successive members of a sequence, it must also apply between any two members taken in order. For instance, if A is larger than B, and B is larger than C, then A is larger than C.
virtual |ˈvər ch oōəl|adjective almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition : the virtual absence of border controls.• Computing not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to do so : a virtual computer. See also virtual reality .• Optics relating to the points at which rays would meet if produced backward.• Physics denoting particles or interactions with extremely short lifetimes and (owing to the uncertainty principle) indefinitely great energies, postulated as intermediates in some processes.DERIVATIVESvirtuality |ˌvər ch oōˈalitē| |ˈvərtʃəˈwølədi| |-jʊˈalɪti| nounORIGIN late Middle English (also in the sense [possessing certain virtues|possessing certain virtues] ): from medieval Latin virtualis, from Latin virtus ‘virtue,’ suggested by late Latin virtuosus
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