reflect

[ ri-flekt ]

/ rɪˈflɛkt /

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.

Nearby words

Origin of reflect

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

SYNONYMS FOR reflect

4 manifest.

6 rebound.

10 ruminate, deliberate, muse, consider, cogitate, contemplate. See study.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reflect ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

re·flect·ed·ly, adverbre·flect·ed·ness, nounre·flect·i·bil·i·ty, nounre·flect·i·ble, adjective

re·flect·ing·ly, adverbin·ter·re·flect, verbmis·re·flect, verbnon·re·flect·ed, adjectivenon·re·flect·ing, adjectivewell-re·flect·ed, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
This does not reflect lack of interest in a better environment.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
The door of the dining-room is faced with looking-glass, so that it may reflect the contents of the conservatory.
A Week's Tramp in Dickens-Land|William R. Hughes
I request gentlemen to reflect, whether this is not, in point of fact, an abandonment of the other points in dispute?
Abridgement of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856 (4 of 16 vol.)|Various
Surely there had been sufficient time to reflect upon it: yet now it was proposed still longer to defer action upon it.
Thirty Years' View (Vol. II of 2)|Thomas Hart Benton
I asked him to reflect on the irreparable eclipse that he would be casting over the Duskydale ballroom.
A Rogue's Life|Wilkie Collins
Martha's happiness, her relief, and the kind things she had said to him, all these were pleasant to reflect upon and to remember.
Galusha the Magnificent|Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for reflect

reflect

/ (rɪˈflɛkt) /

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

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.

Medicine definitions for reflect

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.

reflect

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of reflect

Examples from the Web for reflect

British Dictionary definitions for reflect

reflect

verb

Word Origin for reflect

Word Origin and History for reflect

reflect

Medicine definitions for reflect

reflect

v.