refrangibleadj.
/rᵻˈfran(d)ʒᵻbl/, U.S. /rəˈfrændʒəb(ə)l/, /riˈfrændʒəb(ə)l/ Optics.
Capable of being refracted; susceptible to refraction. Now chiefly historical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > refraction > [adjective] > capable of being refracted
refrangible1672
refractable1676
refractive1812
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > heat > transmission of heat > [adjective] > capable of reflection or refraction
reflexible1794
refrangible1822
1672 I. Newton in Philos. Trans. 1671 (Royal Soc.) 6 3079 The true cause of the length of that Image was detected to be no other, then that Light consists of Rays differently refrangible.
1706 W. Jones Synopsis Palmariorum Matheseos 301 The Light of the Sun consists of Rays that are differently..Refrangible.
1770 Monthly Rev. 42 507 All the different images of the object produced by the differently refrangible rays.
1822 T. Webster Imison's Elem. Sci. & Art (new ed.) II. 33 The invisible rays of heat being more refrangible than those of light.
1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 113 As a rule a much greater photo-electric effect is produced by the more refrangible rays than by the less refrangible.
1934 Science 12 Jan. 20/2 The more refrangible (ultra-violet) end of the spectrum.
1960 W. Miller Canticle for Leibowitz (1961) xx. 173 I was wondering what there is about the refrangible property of light that you thought might be offensive to religion?
2000 M. W. Jackson Spectrum of Belief ii. 19 Dollond argued against Euler's assumption that the ratio of refraction out of air into glass of the mean refrangible rays is the same power as for the least refrangible.
Derivatives
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1712 R. Greene Princ. Nat. Philos. iii. 261 Colour is one property of Light, as it affects the Eye, and different Refrangibleness when it is transmitted thro' a Prism another.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1672