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 surface
2 : the production of an image by or as if by a mirror
3 a : the action of bending or folding back b : a reflected part : fold
4 : 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 meditation
7 : consideration of some subject matter, idea, or purpose
8 obsolete : turning back : return
9 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