reflection
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.
an image; representation; counterpart.
a fixing of the thoughts on something; careful consideration.
a thought occurring in consideration or meditation.
an unfavorable remark or observation.
the casting of some imputation or reproach.
Physics, Optics.
the return of light, heat, sound, etc., after striking a surface.
something so reflected, as heat or especially light.
Mathematics.
(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.
(in space) the replacement of each point on one side of a plane by the symmetric point on the other side of the plane.
Anatomy. the bending or folding back of a part upon itself.
Origin of reflection
1- Also especially British, re·flex·ion .
Other words for reflection
Other words from reflection
- re·flec·tion·al, adjective
- re·flec·tion·less, adjective
- in·ter·re·flec·tion, noun
- non·re·flec·tion, noun
- o·ver·re·flec·tion, noun
- self-re·flec·tion, noun
- su·per·re·flec·tion, noun
Words that may be confused with reflection
- diffraction, diffusion, reflection , rarefaction, refraction
Words Nearby reflection
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use reflection in a sentence
The sickness in her mind was a reflection of the sickness of her life, a sickness created by her family and her society.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism | Arthur Chu | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTBefore we get to all that, permit me a brief reflection on this matter of Steve Scalise.
Steve Scalise and the Right’s Ridiculous Racial Blame Game | Michael Tomasky | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTA few minor notes, born of reflection: Traditionally, the best columns are dominated by politics—its most popular topic.
Like Lent, the season of Advent was a period of reflection and fasting, and items such as dairy and sugar were forbidden.
One Cake to Rule Them All: How Stollen Stole Our Hearts | Molly Hannon | December 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThere was a fear growing inside of me that my imperfect bruised college experience was a reflection of my own damaged self.
Arrived at the dépôt, I discharged my porter, sat down and waited for the place to open, with ample leisure for reflection.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyYou speak with about as little reflection as we might expect from one of those children down there playing in the sand.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinBut he could not bear the reflection, and with fevered impatience, he hurried through the business of the morning.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterHere he can inspect what he sees, say the reflection of the face of his mother or nurse, and compare it at once with the original.
Children's Ways | James SullyYou know the fable about the dog who dropped his meat in the water, trying to snap at its reflection?
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. Williamson
British Dictionary definitions for reflection
less commonly reflexion
/ (rɪˈflɛkʃən) /
the act of reflecting or the state of being reflected
something reflected or the image so produced, as by a mirror
careful or long consideration or thought
implicit or explicit attribution of discredit or blame
maths a transformation in which the direction of one axis is reversed or which changes the sign of one of the variables
anatomy the bending back of a structure or part upon itself
Derived forms of reflection
- reflectional or reflexional, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for reflection
[ rĭ-flĕk′shən ]
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.♦ According to the law of reflection, the angle of reflection of a reflected wave is equal to its angle of incidence. Compare refraction. See more at wave.
Something, such as sound, light, or heat, that is reflected.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for reflection
A bouncing of light off a surface. People see themselves in mirrors through reflection. (Compare refraction.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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