I. rə̇ˈflekt, rēˈf- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English reflecten, from Latin reflectere, from re- + flectere to bend, turn
transitive verb
1. archaic : to turn into or away from a certain course : turn aside : deflect , divert
2.
a. : to turn, throw, or bend off or backward at an angle
light reflected from the moon
heat reflected by the light surface
b. : to cast back : cause to rebound or reverberate : to project out
his internal stresses reflected a dry bitterness upon the world — H.G.Wells
new music … reflects just as much emotion as any other kind of music — Aaron Copland
3.
a. : to bend or fold back : impart a backward curve, bend, or fold to : make retrorse in form
petals reflected at the tops
b. : to push or lay aside (as tissue, an organ) during surgery in order to gain access to the part to be operated on
4. : to give back or exhibit as an image, likeness, or outline : reproduce or show as a mirror does
the trees on the shore line were reflected in the clear water
dignity was reflected in her vivid blue eyes — Ellen Glasgow
this body, with full power to enact laws, more truly reflected the popular will — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
5. : to bring or cast as a result : bring about as an attribute, characterization, designation
his attitude would reflect little credit on his political judgment — W.H.Chamberlin
6. : to make manifest or apparent as a likely cause, plausible conditioning factor, fitting background element, or concomitant : show
the influence of the lumbering period is reflected in Bay City's many large frame dwellings — American Guide Series: Michigan
the pulse generally reflects the condition of the heart — Morris Fishbein
the structure of the compound sentence often reflects a simple artlessness — R.M.Weaver
7. : to remember with thoughtful consideration : come to recollect, realize, or consider in a course of thought — used with a following clause
Blake's poetry … told me that he must be an Irishman before ever I reflected that his name was Irish — A.T.Quiller-Couch
intransitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to become turned or thrown back : rebound
the sun darts forth his rays at right angles which reflect back upon themselves — Nathanael Carpenter
b. : to cast light : shine
whose virtues will, I hope, reflect on Rome, as Titan's rays on earth — Shakespeare
2. : to throw back light or sound : return rays, beams, or waves
3. : to think and consider especially after the immediate event : think quietly and calmly : reconsider
reflect on the role of philosophy in a liberal civilization — M.R.Cohen
4. obsolete : to bounce back : spring back after impact : recoil
5.
a. : to tend to bring reproach : cast or bring censure, discredit, reproach, doubt, or suspicion
the investigation reflects on the integrity of the officials involved
did not reflect on the general's character in his speech
b. : to have a bearing or influence
the steel strike naturally reflected in the sale of plastics
6. : to become mirrored : produce a mirrored image
clouds reflecting on the lake
Synonyms: see think
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- reflect in a plane
II. noun
( -s )
obsolete : reflection