reflect

[ri-flekt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reflect ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to cast back (light, heat, sound, etc.) from a surface: The mirror reflected the light onto the wall.

to give back or show an image of; mirror.

(of an act or its result) to serve to cast or bring (credit, discredit, etc.) on its performer.

to reproduce; show: followers reflecting the views of the leader.

to throw or cast back; cause to return or rebound: Her bitterness reflects gloom on all her family.

verb (used without object)

to be turned or cast back, as light.

to cast back light, heat, etc.

to be reflected or mirrored.

to give back or show an image.

to think, ponder, or meditate: to reflect on one's virtues and faults.

to serve or tend to bring reproach or discredit by association: His crimes reflected on the whole community.

to serve to give a particular aspect or impression: The test reflects well on your abilities.

Origin of reflect

1350–1400; Middle English reflecten < Latin reflectere to bend back, equivalent to re- re- + flectere to bend

Related formsre·flect·ed·ly, adverbre·flect·ed·ness, nounre·flect·i·bil·i·ty, nounre·flect·i·ble, adjectivere·flect·ing·ly, adverbin·ter·re·flect, verbmis·re·flect, verbnon·re·flect·ed, adjectivenon·re·flect·ing, adjectivewell-re·flect·ed, adjective

Synonyms for reflect

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reflect ON THESAURUS.COM

4. manifest. 6. rebound. 10. ruminate, deliberate, muse, consider, cogitate, contemplate. See study.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for reflect

follow, echo, reverse, mirror, reveal, show, express, manifest, indicate, display, shine, repeat, return, emulate, rebound, flash, revert, resonate, reproduce, cast

Examples from the Web for reflect

Contemporary Examples of reflect

They just reflect the range of breeds that were used to create the Heck cattle in the first instance.
‘Nazi Cows’ Tried to Kill British Farmer
Tom Sykes
January 6, 2015
But it is not only small airlines that reflect the laxity of the system.
Who Will Get AsiaAir 8501’s Black Boxes?
Clive Irving
December 30, 2014
This does not reflect lack of interest in a better environment.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats
Joel Kotkin
December 21, 2014
Note: This piece was updated to reflect that Mrs. Landingham died while Aaron Sorkin was still writing The West Wing.
'The Newsroom' Ended As It Began: Weird, Controversial, and Noble
Kevin Fallon
December 15, 2014
I invite you to reflect on the actual power dynamic between Christians and LGBT people in our society.
Do LGBTs Owe Christians an Olive Branch? Try The Other Way Around
Jay Michaelson
December 14, 2014

Historical Examples of reflect

But least of all can I bear that you should reflect upon my mother.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
It might be well for him to reflect that agitation was a two-edged sword.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
It was awful to reflect how many sermons must have been written there.
The Old Manse (From "Mosses From An Old Manse")
Nathaniel Hawthorne
He did not reflect that just because he was not his, he did not feel the wounds that disabled from action.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
I cannot reflect upon this dreadful scene, but sorrow fills my heart.
The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone
John Filson

British Dictionary definitions for reflect

reflect

verb

to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which light, other electromagnetic radiation, sound, particles, etc, are thrown back after impinging on a surface

(of a mirror, etc) to form an image of (something) by reflection

(tr) to show or expresshis tactics reflect his desire for power

(tr) to bring as a consequencethe success of the project reflected great credit on all the staff

(intr ; foll by on or upon) to cause to be regarded in a specified wayher behaviour reflects well on her

(intr ; foll by on or upon) to cast dishonour, discredit, etc (on)his conduct reflects on his parents

(intr usually foll by on) to think, meditate, or ponder

Word Origin for reflect

C15: from Latin reflectere to bend back, from re- + flectere to bend; see flex

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

Word Origin and History for reflect

late 14c., "turn or bend back;" early 15c., "to divert, to turn aside, deflect," from Old French reflecter (14c.), from Latin reflectere "bend back, turn back" (see reflection). Of mirrors or polished surfaces, to shine back light rays or images, early 15c.; meaning "to turn one's thoughts back on" is c.1600. Related: Reflected; reflecting.

reflect in Medicine

reflect

[rĭ-flĕkt′]

v.

To bend back.

To throw or bend back light, heat, or sound from a surface.

To think seriously.

To send back a motor impulse in response to a sensory stimulus.