réfractif

Forms

réfractif (feminine réfractive, masculine plural réfractifs, feminine plural réfractives)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French réfraction + -if, on the stem of the noun.^[2][3][4] Wiktionary instead derives it from the verb réfracter.^[1] The TLFi compares the English refractive (1673, and “refractive power” in 1709),^[2] and Rey allows that the French word was either derived from the French noun or borrowed from the English word.^[5] Littré, in the 19th century, gave as its source Latin refractīvus, which Latin grammarians used of reflexive verbs, from refringō (“to break up”).^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1706, in matière réfractive, in the Histoire de l'Académie royale des sciences, meaning “that refracts light”.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

In physics it described what produces or concerns the réfraction of light, as in puissance réfractive (the power of transparent bodies to bend rays of light), used by Arago in 1816.^[2][6] This sense has become dated, displaced by réfringent.^[2][5][4] In the 20th century the word was given a new use in psychology, for a type of projective test in which the subject's personality shows through the way they distort a conventional means of communication, such as language or gesture.^[2][5]

The derivative réfractivité (1930) was formed after the English refractivity (1889).^[2][5]

Timeline

• 1706 – Matière réfractive appears in the Histoire de l'Académie royale des sciences.^[2][4]
• 1760 – Rey's date for the word, which he links with English refractive.^[5]
• 1816 – Arago writes of puissance réfractive.^[2]
• 1930 – The derivative réfractivité is first recorded.^[2]
• 1968 – The Larousse encyclopédique defines the technique réfractive in psychology.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (physics, dated) That produces or concerns refraction, refractive: pouvoir réfractif; réfringent is now usual.^[4][2][1]
2. (psychology) Of a projective test or method in which the subject's personality shows in the way they distort language or gesture: technique réfractive.^[2]

Word family

• réfractivité

Related words

• réfraction
• réfracter
• réfringent
• English refractive

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette