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Refract vs Deflect - What's the difference?

refract | deflect |

As verbs the difference between refract and deflect

is that refract is to change direction as a result of entering a different medium while deflect is to make (something) deviate from its original path.

refract

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (of light) To change direction as a result of entering a different medium
  • (optics) To cause (light) to change direction as a result of entering a different medium.
    • A prism can refract light.

    Derived terms

    * refracting

    Related terms

    * refractive * refraction * refractory * refrangible * refringent

    See also

    * reflect

    Anagrams

    *

    deflect

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make (something) deviate from its original path.
  • To deviate from its original path.
  • (figuratively) To avoid addressing (questions, criticism, etc.).
    • The Prime Minister deflected some increasingly pointed questions by claiming he had an appointment.
  • (figuratively) To divert (attention, etc.).
  • * 2013 , Luke Harding and Uki Goni, Argentina urges UK to hand back Falklands and 'end colonialism'' (in ''The Guardian , 3 January 2013)[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/02/argentina-britain-hand-back-falklands]
    • Critics suggest that Fernández, an unashamed populist and nationalist, is seeking to deflect attention from social disharmony at home.