# reflect

Pronunciation: say "ri-FLEKT" /ɹɪˈflɛkt/

## Verb

1. To bend back light, heat, or sound from a surface so it travels in a new direction.
   - Simple: To throw back light, heat, or sound that hits a surface.
   - _Fresh snow reflects so much sunlight that climbers can burn even on cold days._
   - _Carefully aligned mirrors reflect the laser beam along a precise path._
2. To think seriously about something; to ponder or consider it carefully.
   - Simple: To think carefully about something for a while.
   - _After the funeral, the family gathered to reflect on his long life._
   - _The committee reflected at length before reaching any decision._
3. To show the image of something on a surface, as a mirror does.
   - Simple: To show the image of something, the way a mirror does.
   - _The shop windows reflect the busy street outside._
   - _The polished floor reflected the chandelier's light._
4. Of light, sound, or heat, to be bent back from a surface it strikes.
   - Simple: To bounce back off a surface, the way light or sound does.
   - _The afternoon sun reflects off the lake and dazzles drivers._
   - _Radio waves reflect from the upper atmosphere back to the ground._
5. To give evidence of the character or qualities of someone or something.
   - Simple: To show what someone or something is really like.
   - _The city's new parks reflect a real commitment to public health._
   - _His calm response reflected years of training under pressure._
6. To appear as a mirrored image on a surface.
   - Simple: To appear as an image on a shiny surface.
   - _The neon signs reflect in the rain-slicked road below._
   - _The mountains reflected in the still morning lake._
7. To agree with or closely follow something, matching it in form or content.
   - Simple: To match or closely follow something else.
   - _The final report reflects the team's earlier findings._
   - _These prices reflect current market conditions._

## Origin

From Old French reflecter ("to bend back, turn back"), from Latin reflectō ("I reflect"), formed from re- ("again") plus flectō ("I bend, I curve"). It is related to English reflex.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/reflect (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).