reflect
pronunciation
How to pronounce reflect in British English:
UK [rɪˈflekt]
How to pronounce reflect in American English:
US [rɪˈflekt]
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- Verb:
- manifest or bring back
- to throw or bend back or reflect (from a surface)
- reflect deeply on a subject
- be bright by reflecting or casting light
- give evidence of a certain behavior
- give evidence of the quality of
Word Origin
- reflect
- reflect: [15] To reflect something is etymologically to ‘bend it back’. The word comes via Old French reflecter from Latin reflectere ‘bend back’, a compound verb formed from the prefix re- ‘back’ and flectere ‘bend’ (source also of English deflect [17], flex [16], flexible [15], inflect [15], etc). The word’s optical application is a post-Latin development.=> deflect, flex, flexible, inflect
- reflect (v.)
- 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.
Example
- 1. They reflect shifts in the global economy .
- 2. The federal response needs to reflect that .
- 3. The new passengers reflect a revolution in spanish travel .
- 4. We needed to reflect on what we 'd learned .
- 5. But as an opportunity to reflect it may be welcome .