[re.flec.tion] n [ME, alter. of reflexion, fr. LL reflexion-, reflexio act of bending back, fr. L reflectere] (14c) 1: an instance of reflecting; esp: the return of light or sound waves from a surface
2: the production of an image by or as if by a mirror 3 a: the action of bending or folding back b: a reflected part: fold
4: something produced by reflecting: as a: an image given back by a reflecting surface b: an effect produced by an influence "the high crime rate is a ~ of our violent society"
5: an often obscure or indirect criticism: reproach "a ~ on his character"
6: a thought, idea, or opinion formed or a remark made as a result of meditation 7: consideration of some subject matter, idea, or purpose
8. obs: turning back: return
9. a: a transformation of a figure in which each point is replaced by a point symmetric with respect to a line or plane b: a transformation that involves reflection in more than one axis of a rectangular coordinate system -- re.flec.tion.al adj