0 a type of telescope (= a device for making objects that are far away look closer and larger) that uses a lens or lenses to focus light and form an image: --
Refracting telescopes use a lens to bring light rays to a focus.
Yerkes Observatory is home to the world's largest refracting telescope .
He protested against Newton's abandonment of refracting telescopes.
His business produced some of the highest capability refracting telescopes.
In Canada's largest museum, there are views of the heavens through a huge refracting telescope.