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Refract vs Retract - What's the difference?

refract | retract |

As verbs the difference between refract and retract

is that refract is to change direction as a result of entering a different medium while retract is to pull back inside.

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

    *

    retract

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To pull back inside.
    • An airplane retracts its wheels for flight.
  • (ambitransitive) To draw back; to draw up.
    • Muscles retract after amputation.
    A cat can retract its claws.
  • To take back or withdraw something one has said.
    • I retract all the accusations I made about the senator and sincerely hope he won't sue me.
  • * Bishop Stillingfleet
    • I would as freely have retracted this charge of idolatry as I ever made it.
  • * Granville
    • She will, and she will not; she grants, denies, / Consents, retracts , advances, and then flies.
  • To take back, as a grant or favour previously bestowed; to revoke.
    • (Woodward)

    Synonyms

    * take back * withcall * withdraw

    See also

    * unsay * unspeak