reflecting

[ri-flek-ting]

adjective

1. casting back light, heat, sound, etc., from a surface.

   An echo is heard when the reflecting surface is at a considerable distance from both the speaker and the hearer.

2. having a mirrorlike effect; giving back or showing an image.

   The most memorable feature of Hadrian’s Villa for me was the reflecting pool at the back, surrounded by ruins and statues.

3. thinking, pondering, or meditating.

   It is apparent to every reflecting mind that a crisis has arisen which requires the consideration and action of every peace-loving citizen.

noun

1. an act or instance of casting back light, heat, etc., of giving back an image, or of showing or reproducing something.

   This room feels almost like it's under the sea; the mirror mimics the reflecting of the water.

2. an act or instance of thinking, pondering, or meditating.

   We have been doing some reflecting on the year that has just passed.

Other Word Forms

• reflectingly adverb
• nonreflecting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reflecting¹

First recorded in 1525–35; reflect ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; reflect ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

MRI diffusion scans show more orderly water movement in the tissue, reflecting stronger and more coordinated connections.

Read more on Science Daily

A private gauge of China’s manufacturing sector showed Chinese factories cut back on activity in November, reflecting weaker growth momentum.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One shows the Princess of Wales sharing her relief at having finished chemotherapy treatment, and reflecting on the importance "of simply loving and being loved".

Read more on BBC

Cranach's work drew on medieval mapping traditions where Israel appeared as long, narrow strips of land, reflecting earlier reliance on the 1st century AD Jewish historian Josephus, who simplified conflicting biblical descriptions.

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Papperger, reflecting on his long tenure at the company, told investors that seeing such figures was like “a wonder world.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• analytical 
• attentive 
• cerebral 
• earnest 
• melancholy 
• pensive 
• rational 
• reasonable 
• reflective 
• serious 
• sober 
• studious 
• wise