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Retractive vs Refractive - What's the difference?

retractive | refractive |

As adjectives the difference between retractive and refractive

is that retractive is serving to retract; of the nature of a retraction while refractive is describing that which refracts.

As a noun retractive

is that which retracts or withdraws.

retractive

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • That which retracts or withdraws.

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Serving to retract; of the nature of a retraction.

    • Derived terms

    * retractively (Webster 1913)

    refractive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Describing that which refracts.