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Meaning Of Refraction
n.
The act of refracting, or the state of being refracted.
n.
The change in the direction of ray of light, heat, or
the like, when it enters obliquely a medium of a different density from
that through which it has previously moved.
n.
The change in the direction of a ray of light, and,
consequently, in the apparent position of a heavenly body from which it
emanates, arising from its passage through the earth's atmosphere; --
hence distinguished as atmospheric refraction, or astronomical
refraction.
n.
The correction which is to be deducted from the
apparent altitude of a heavenly body on account of atmospheric
refraction, in order to obtain the true altitude.