də̇ˈflekt, (ˈ)dē|f verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin deflectere to bend downward, turn aside, from de- + flectere to bend, turn
transitive verb
: to turn from a straight course or fixed direction:
a. : bend
deflect rays passing through a lens
b. : to change away from an accustomed, preferred, or likely course, pattern, or way to a goal
deflected the course of the stream
intransitive verb
: to turn aside : deviate from a straight line or from a position, course, or direction
deflect from the line of truth and reason — William Warburton
Synonyms: see turn