I. ˈmirə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English mirour, from Old French mireor, mireour, from mirer to look at, from Latin mirari to wonder at — more at smile
1.
a.
(1) : a polished or smooth substance that forms images by the reflection of light
the burnished mirror of his shield
the mountain reflected in the mirror of the lake
(2) : looking glass
picked up the mirror on her dressing table
b.
(1) : something that resembles or acts as a mirror : something which gives a true representation or in which a true image may be visualized
art is a mirror whose facets reflect all kinds of current trends — Alan McCulloch
each life is the mirror of many others — Malcolm Cowley
the press as a mirror of public opinion — C.G.Bowers
(2) : something especially exemplary that may serve as a model
no modern building could act as a better mirror of functional needs … than this seventeenth-century Spanish mission — Liturgical Arts
2. : the speculum of a bird's wing
Synonyms: see model
•
- with mirrors
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to reflect or behold as in a mirror
its clear waters mirroring the dense swamp foliage — American Guide Series: Florida
the students' moods mirrored the weather — Better Homes & Gardens
2. : to serve as a model for : represent
a single city that mirrors so clearly the development and character of the Scottish community — R.E.Dickinson
the President mirrors the nation — Max Ascoli