refrac

Refract is a term that can refer to several related concepts, primarily in the context of optics and technology. In its most common meaning, refract describes the bending of light or other waves as they pass from one medium to another. This phenomenon is governed by Snell's Law and is the principle behind lenses, prisms, and the way our eyes focus. When light enters a denser medium like water or glass from a less dense medium like air, it slows down and changes direction. This bending is what allows us to see magnified images or to separate white light into its constituent colors.

Beyond the fundamental optical definition, the term refract can also appear in technological contexts. For instance, "refract" might be used in the name of software or hardware that manipulates or processes data in a way analogous to optical refraction, such as redirecting or transforming information streams. It can also be a verb indicating the action of being refracted. In some specialized fields, the term may have even more specific technical applications, but the core idea of bending or redirection remains consistent.