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

When “West Side Story” had its premiere eight years later, it had become a gripping, tragic reflection on racism.

From Los Angeles Times

It is a reflection, in a sentence, of how this party perceives its predicament and what it is trying to do about it.

From BBC

“The last few months have been filled with a lot of healing, rest and reflection,” Watkins said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

The agents, who held a range of positions across multiple field offices, were reportedly seen kneeling as part of solidarity or reflection during demonstrations following the killing of George Floyd.

From Salon

But it was accompanied by moments of internal reflection, as well.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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