Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun refraction

2 senses of refraction

Sense 1
refraction -- (the change in direction of a propagating wave (light or sound) when passing from one medium to another)
       => physical phenomenon -- (a natural phenomenon involving the physical properties of matter and energy)

Sense 2
deflection, deflexion, refraction -- (the amount by which a propagating wave is bent)
       => bending, bend -- (movement that causes the formation of a curve)