reflection

especially British, re·flex·ion

[ri-flek-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of reflecting, as in casting back a light or heat, mirroring, or giving back or showing an image; the state of being reflected in this way.

2. an image; representation; counterpart.

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

   Synonyms: thinking, study, cogitation, deliberation, rumination, meditation

4. a thought occurring in consideration or meditation.

5. an unfavorable remark or observation.

   Synonyms: criticism, reproach, aspersion, imputation

6. the casting of some imputation or reproach.

7. Physics, Optics.

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

   2. something so reflected, as heat or especially light.

8. Mathematics.

   1. (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.

   2. (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. Anatomy.,  the bending or folding back of a part upon itself.

reflection

/ rɪˈflɛkʃən /

noun

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

2. something reflected or the image so produced, as by a mirror

3. careful or long consideration or thought

4. implicit or explicit attribution of discredit or blame

5. maths a transformation in which the direction of one axis is reversed or which changes the sign of one of the variables

6. anatomy the bending back of a structure or part upon itself

reflection

1. The change in direction of a wave, such as a light or sound wave, away from a boundary the wave encounters. Reflected waves remain in their original medium rather than entering the medium they encounter.

2. ◆ According to the law of reflection, the angle of reflection of a reflected wave is equal to its angle of incidence.

3. Compare refraction See more at wave

4. Something, such as sound, light, or heat, that is reflected.

reflection

1. A bouncing of light off a surface. People see themselves in mirrors through reflection. (Compare refraction.)

Other Word Forms

• reflectional adjective
• reflectionless adjective
• interreflection noun
• nonreflection noun
• overreflection noun
• self-reflection noun
• superreflection noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reflection¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin reflexiōn-, stem of reflexiō “a bending back,” from Latin reflex(us) “bent back” (past participle of reflectere; reflect ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

"Some of the SPF testing, I feel, has become a bit more of a marketing exercise than a real reflection of efficacy."

From BBC

It was New Year's Eve when Luke Shepherd caught a reflection of himself at a friend's house and decided he did not like what he saw in the mirror.

From BBC

They were the culmination of a typically circuitous series of reflections by the American president on the happenings in China over the past several days.

From BBC

But this parade revealed a more innovative and diverse range of weapons, particularly drones and missiles - a reflection of how advanced their defence-industrial complex has become.

From BBC

It’s yet another small reflection of Kershaw’s newfound perspective on training, physical maintenance and how — even deep into his 30s — he has changed his once-staunch outlook on how to care for his body.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consideration 
• contemplation 
• idea 
• impression 
• meditation 
• observation 
• opinion 
• rumination 
• view