† reˈfringe, v. Obs.
[ad. L. refringĕre: see refract v.]
1. trans. To infringe (one's liberties). rare—1.
| 1530 Palsgr. 683/1, I am nat aboute nor never was to refrynge your lybertyes. |
2. To refract (light). Also fig.
| c 1610 Sir C. Heydon Astrol. Disc. (1650) 11 We are first to agree how deep or thick this cloudy Region of the air that refringeth the Sunbeams may be. 1675 Baxter Cath. Theol. i. ii. 95 Vapors..by which the light of divine immutable verity, seemeth to us to be refringed, and to waver. |
b. To knock or drive back. rare—1.
| 1692 Norris Curs. Refl. 24 How can they do it in such troops and numbers without justling, refringing, and inverting one another? |