Main Entry:

re·flec·tion

Pronunciation:

\ri-ˈflek-shən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, alteration of reflexion, from Late Latin reflexion-, reflexio act of bending back, from Latin reflectere

Date:

14th century

1: an instance of reflecting ; especially : the return of light or sound waves from a surface2: the production of an image by or as if by a mirror3 a: the action of bending or folding back b: a reflected part : fold4: something produced by reflecting: as a: an image given back by a reflecting surface b: an effect produced by an influence <the high crime rate is a reflection of our violent society> 5: an often obscure or indirect criticism : reproach <a reflection on his character>6: a thought, idea, or opinion formed or a remark made as a result of meditation7: consideration of some subject matter, idea, or purpose8obsolete : turning back : return9 a: a transformation of a figure in which each point is replaced by a point symmetric with respect to a line or plane b: a transformation that involves reflection in more than one axis of a rectangular coordinate system

— re·flec·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective