index refraction

index of refraction

noun Optics.
a number indicating the speed of light in a given medium as either the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to that in the given medium (absolute index of refraction) or the ratio of the speed of light in a specified medium to that in the given medium (relative index of refraction) Symbol: n
Also called index, refractive index.

1820–30 Unabridged
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World English Dictionary
index of refraction
another name for refractive index

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
index of refraction  
A measure of the extent to which a substance slows down light waves passing through it. The index of refraction of a substance is equal to the ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to its speed in that substance. Its value determines the extent to which light is refracted when entering or leaving the substance.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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