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Refractable vs Retractable - What's the difference?

refractable | retractable |

As adjectives the difference between refractable and retractable

is that refractable is capable of being refracted while retractable is capable of being retracted; retractile.

As a noun retractable is

a retractable pen.

refractable

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Capable of being refracted.
    • (Webster 1913)

    retractable

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Capable of being retracted; retractile.

    • See also

    * pull-down

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A retractable pen.
  • * 1979 , Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
    • Somewhere in the cosmos, he said,