The power possessed by a substance to refract a ray;
as, different substances have different refringencies.
1. Not competent; wanting in adequate strength, power, capacity, means, qualifications, or the like; incapable; unable; inadequate; unfit. Incompetent to perform the duties of the place. Macaulay. 2. (Law) Wanting the legal or constitutional qualifications; inadmissible; as, a pers...