REFLECTION


Meaning of REFLECTION in English

— reflectional , adj. — reflectionless , adj.

/ri flek"sheuhn/ , n.

1. the act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.

2. an image; representation; counterpart.

3. a fixing of the thoughts on something; careful consideration.

4. a thought occurring in consideration or meditation.

5. an unfavorable remark or observation.

6. the casting of some imputation or reproach.

7. Physics , Optics.

a. the return of light, heat, sound, etc., after striking a surface.

b. something so reflected, as heat or esp. light.

8. Math.

a. (in a plane) the replacement of each point on one side of a line by the point symmetrically placed on the other side of the line.

b. (in space) the replacement of each point on one side of a plane by the symmetric point on the other side of the plane.

9. Anat. the bending or folding back of a part upon itself.

Also, esp. Brit., reflexion .

[ 1350-1400; ME reflexion- (s. of reflexio ) a bending back, equiv. to L reflex ( us ) (see REFLEX) + -ion- -ION ]

Syn. 3. meditation, rumination, deliberation, cogitation, study, thinking. 5. imputation, aspersion, reproach, criticism.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .