The meaning of the word reflection

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

4

: something produced by reflecting: such 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

Synonyms

Example Sentences



She was looking at her reflection in the mirror.



He saw the reflections of the clouds on the lake.

Recent Examples on the Web

During his stay, Muslims on Earth will observe the month of Ramadan — a time of fasting, prayer and reflection that runs from the evening of March 22 to April 21.


—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 22 Mar. 2023




Muslims across the nation welcomed the start of Ramadan on Wednesday evening, marking the annual holy month of prayer, fasting, and reflection.


—Ashley Soebroto, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Mar. 2023




Joining the long-running talk show to discuss her Bad Dates podcast, the She-Hulk actress kicked off her segment with a reflection on her own history with dating.


—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2023




Pete Wentz delved into a reflection on the ups and downs of his life in the newest issue of Nylon published this week, and how he’s grown from it.


—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2023




Whether due to lessons learned from past spending sprees or merely a reflection of what seemed like an underwhelming collective of top talent, the long-term contracts with massive guarantees were in short supply.


—Michael Middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2023




Inspiration and entertainment can make corny bedfellows, but Longoria pulls it off, to the extent that a moment of faith when Richard and Judy pray doesn’t feel preachy, but a reflection of their priorities.


—Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Mar. 2023




The greenhouse kit is built with air vents for temperature regulation and the smooth shape reduces glare and light reflection.


—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 10 Mar. 2023




Todd Field’s caustic reflection on abuse of power, Tár, would be another deserving winner.


—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023


See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘reflection.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of reflection was
in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near reflection

Cite this Entry

“Reflection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reflection. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.

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Last Updated:
27 Mar 2023
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Merriam-Webster unabridged

Источник

Perhaps we are using the term reflection in two different ways here. ❋ Disore (2009)

In a movie a reflection is as real and solid as the actual image the faces and bodies reflected, because the opposite is true, the images are as transient and ephemeral and insubstantial as the reflections. ❋ Unknown (2010)

In almost all versions gazing eternally into the pool at his reflection is his curse or punishment from the gods for spurning the love of others or leaving them in the painful state of unrequited love. ❋ Unknown (2007)

In his last period, the year before his death, Dubuffet produced an astounding 210 Non-lieux paintings, which he described as a reflection of his nihilistic philosophy. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Thirdly, Because these very operations of the mind about ideas received from sensations, are themselves, when reflected on, another set of ideas, derived from that other source of our knowledge, which I call reflection; and therefore fit to be considered in this place after the simple ideas of sensation. ❋ Unknown (2007)

In order that there may be no misunderstanding, I will explain that although B is what we call a reflection of A, these would count as two different arrangements, while C, if it is turned round, will give four arrangements; and if turned round in front of a mirror, four other arrangements. ❋ Henry Ernest Dudeney (1893)

And this mode of gaining knowledge we term reflection (speculiren). ❋ Heinrich Or Suso (1865)

No one lives in a vacuum, and I’d say this kind of reflection is very important. ❋ SVGL (2009)

But if man digs deeper and if his reflection is illuminated by what is said in Sacred ❋ Unknown (2009)

This reflection is sometimes followed by a shiver of distaste. ❋ Unknown (2009)

It seems more like she’s trying to understand why, in reflection of the year’s past critical writings and cultural artifacts, 2008’s offerings don’t stand out as boldly as they have in past years. ❋ SVGL (2009)

But beyond that crazy there was reflection, and reflection is good, right? ❋ Unknown (2009)

In fact, in reflection, maybe I should have titled this post T is for Trust – which is what – in the end – it is all about. ❋ Unknown (2010)

I can see [my reflection] in [the mirror].
[My twin] brother is a reflection of me. ❋ Cory (2004)

[that guy] reflection is [a simp] ❋ IIReflection (2020)

That [Kindergarten] student was very [reflective] playing with [blocks], and that was a reason he liked playing with them alone. ❋ Ereck Flowers (2015)

Reflection ❋ Pseudonym Spite (2013)

Teacher: [I want you] to [reflect] on all of your [previous] reflections.
Student: You want me to reflect on my reflections
Teacher: Yes
Student: -palm to face- ❋ Dualmajorwithnosoul (2011)

(After blunt is smoked, looking at friend who’s eyes are [bloodshot] head [tilted] back looking at nothing)
Yo man you’re looking pretty reflective [right there]. ❋ TheITman (2010)

Person 1:: «You know what makes me mad?»
Person 2:: «When a man stays at [your place], [plugs] you up, and [doesn’t even] pay you?»
Person 1:: «Dude….are you reflecting?!» ❋ Tisha (2006)

Brent had to reflect about how much time he was spending at work. Would he be better to sort this shit out, have better [time management] and spend his time…
Having fun with his kids
[Make time] to go for [a dive]
Dedicate time for love with the girlfriend…
What will he do??? He is trying to [make time] to reflect on all of this!!! ❋ Taniwha 150917 (2018)

Friend: [your mom gay]
Me: no U
Friend thinking they’re an intellectual: [uno reverse card]
Me an actual intellectual: MEGA [ALAKAZAM] USE REFLECT!!!
Friend: dies ❋ Norgeroff (2019)

[Reflect]! [A hit] [bitch]?! ❋ Rasmus (2005)

Источник

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

  • reflexion

Etymology[edit]

From Middle French reflexion, reflection, and its source Late Latin reflexio, from the participle stem of reflectō. The current spelling is influenced by reflect.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ɹɪˈflɛkʃən/
  • Hyphenation: re‧flec‧tion
  • Rhymes: -ɛkʃən

Noun[edit]

A water reflection — meanings 2 and 3

reflection (countable and uncountable, plural reflections)

  1. The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.
  2. The property of a propagated wave being thrown back from a surface (such as a mirror).
  3. Something, such as an image, that is reflected.

    The dog barked at his own reflection in the mirror.

  5. Careful thought or consideration.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:consideration

    After careful reflection, I have decided not to vote for that proposition.

    • 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax:

      But Richmond, his grandfather’s darling, after one thoughtful glance cast under his lashes at that uncompromising countenance appeared to lose himself in his own reflections.

  6. An implied criticism.

    It is a reflection on his character that he never came back to see them.

  7. (computing) The process or mechanism of determining the capabilities of an object at run-time.
    • 2002, Java Enterprise Best Practices (O’Reilly)
      DynamicMBeanFacade uses Java’s reflection API to introspect the managed resource and discover data type information for attributes.
  8. (anatomy) The folding of a part; a fold.

Derived terms[edit]

  • no-reflection
  • reflection-like
  • reflectional
  • reflectionless
  • self-reflection

[edit]

  • reflect
  • reflective
  • reflector

Translations[edit]

act of reflecting; the state of being reflected

  • Albanian: reflektim (sq) m
  • Arabic: اِنْعِكَاس‎ (ar) m (inʕikās), عَكْس‎ (ar) m (ʕaks)
  • Armenian: արտացոլում (hy) (artacʿolum)
  • Azerbaijani: əks (az), in’ikas
  • Belarusian: адлюстрава́нне n (adljustravánnje), адбіццё n (adbiccjó)
  • Bulgarian: отразяване n (otrazjavane)
  • Catalan: reflexió (ca) f
  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 反射 (zh) (fǎnshè), 反映 (zh) (fǎnyìng)
  • Czech: odraz (cs) m
  • Danish: afspejling c, refleksion (da) c
  • Dutch: reflectie (nl) f, weerspiegeling (nl) f, weerbeeld (nl) n
  • Esperanto: reflekto
  • Estonian: peegeldus
  • Finnish: heijastuminen (fi), peilaantuminen, peilaus
  • French: réflexion (fr) f
  • Galician: reflexión f
  • Georgian: ანარეკლი (anareḳli)
  • German: Reflexion (de) f, Abbild (de) n, Reflektion (de) f
  • Greek: αντανάκλαση (el) f (antanáklasi)
  • Hebrew: השתקפות‎ f (hishtak’fut)
  • Hindi: परावर्तन (hi) m (parāvartan), प्रतिबिंब (hi) m (pratibimb)
  • Hungarian: tükröződés (hu), visszatükrözés, visszatükröződés
  • Indonesian: pantulan (id)
  • Irish: frithchaitheamh m
  • Italian: riflessione (it)
  • Japanese: 反射 (ja) (はんしゃ, hansha)
  • Kazakh: кескін (kk) (keskın)
  • Korean: 반사 (ko) (bansa)
  • Macedonian: одраз m (odraz)
  • Malagasy: fitarafana (mg)
  • Malay: pemantulan, pantulan (ms)
  • Malayalam: പ്രതിഫലനം (ml) (pratifalanaṃ)
  • Maori: whakaatanga, whakaatatanga
  • Norwegian:
    Bokmål: refleksjon m
  • Persian: بازتاب‎ (fa) (bâztâb), فرتور‎ (fartur), انعکاس‎ (fa) (en’ekâs), عکس‎ (fa) (‘aks)
  • Polish: odbicie (pl) n
  • Portuguese: reflexão (pt) f
  • Romanian: reflectare (ro) f, reflecție (ro) f, reflexie (ro) f
  • Russian: отраже́ние (ru) n (otražénije)
  • Scottish Gaelic: faileas m, sgàile f
  • Serbo-Croatian:
    Roman: odbles m, ȍdsjāj (sh) m, odblesak m, ȍdrāz (sh) m
  • Slovak: odraz m
  • Slovene: odraz m, odboj (sl) m
  • Spanish: reflexión (es) f
  • Swedish: reflexion (sv)
  • Tagalog: sabalik
  • Tajik: акс (tg) (aks), инъикос (tg) (inʾikos)
  • Thai: การสะท้อน (th)
  • Turkish: yansıma (tr)
  • Ukrainian: відбиття́ n (vidbyttjá)
  • Uzbek: aks (uz)

property of a propagated wave

  • Afrikaans: weerkaatsing
  • Bulgarian: отражение (bg) n (otraženie)
  • Catalan: reflexió (ca) f
  • Finnish: peilaantuminen
  • German: Reflektion (de) f
  • Hungarian: visszaverődés (hu)
  • Indonesian: bayangan (id)
  • Maori: whakaatanga
  • Polish: odbicie (pl) n, refleks (pl) m
  • Russian: отраже́ние (ru) n (otražénije)
  • Tagalog: sabalik
  • Turkish: yansıma (tr)

something that is reflected

  • Bulgarian: образ (bg) m (obraz), отражение (bg) n (otraženie)
  • Catalan: reflex (ca) m
  • Czech: odraz (cs) m
  • Esperanto: speguliĝo
  • Finnish: peilikuva (fi)
  • French: reflet (fr) m
  • Galician: reflexo m
  • German: Reflektion (de) f
  • Greek:
    Ancient: ἔμφασις f (émphasis)
  • Hungarian: tükörkép (hu)
  • Indonesian: cerminan (id)
  • Irish: scáil f
  • Italian: riflesso (it), riverbero (it)
  • Japanese: 反映 (ja) (はんえい, han’ei)
  • Malagasy: fitaratra (mg)
  • Malay: pantulan (ms)
  • Malayalam: പ്രതിബിംബം (ml) (pratibimbaṃ)
  • Maori: whakaata
  • Polish: odbicie (pl) n
  • Portuguese: reflexo (pt) m
  • Russian: отраже́ние (ru) n (otražénije)
  • Scottish Gaelic: faileas m, sgàile f
  • Spanish: reflejo (es) m
  • Turkish: yansıma (tr)
  • Welsh: adlewyrchiad m

careful thought or consideration

Translations to be checked

  • French: (meanings 1, 2 and 3) (please verify) reflet (fr), (meaning 4) (please verify) réflexion (fr)
  • Greek: (please verify) αντανάκλαση (el) f (antanáklasi) (1,2,3), (please verify) είδωλο (el) n (eídolo) (3), (please verify) σκέψη (el) f (sképsi) (4)
  • Telugu: (please verify) పరావర్తనము (te) (parāvartanamu)

See also[edit]

  • refraction
  • diffraction
Источник

Toggle the table of contents

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Reflection or reflexion may refer to:

Science and technology[edit]

  • Reflection (physics), a common wave phenomenon
    • Specular reflection, reflection from a smooth surface
      • Mirror image, a reflection in a mirror or in water
    • Signal reflection, in signal transmission
  • Elastic scattering, a process in nuclear and particle physics
  • Reflection nebula, a nebula that is extended and has no boundaries
  • Reflection seismology or seismic reflection, a method of exploration geophysics

Mathematics[edit]

  • Reflection principle, in set theory
  • Point reflection, a reflection across a point
  • Reflection (mathematics), a transformation of a space
  • Reflection formula, a relation in a function
  • Reflective subcategory, in category theory

Computing[edit]

  • Reflection (computer graphics), simulation of reflective surfaces
  • Reflection (computer programming), a program that accesses or modifies its own code
  • Reflection, terminal emulation software by Attachmate

Arts and entertainment[edit]

Film and television[edit]

  • The Reflection (TV series), an anime series created by Stan Lee and Hiroshi Nagahama
  • «Reflection», an episode of Power Rangers: SPD
  • Reflection (2018 film), a Burmese film
  • Reflection (2021 film), a Ukrainian film

Music[edit]

Albums[edit]

  • Reflection (Brian Eno album) or the title song, 2017
  • Reflection (Demis Roussos album), 1984
  • Reflection (Derek Minor album), 2016
  • Reflection (Loraine James album), 2021
  • Reflection (Fifth Harmony album) or the title song, 2015
  • Reflection (Hooverphonic album), 2013
  • Reflection (Pentangle album) or the title song, 1971
  • Reflection (Redrama album), 2014
  • Reflection (The Rubyz album) or the title song, 2011
  • Reflection (Steamhammer album), or Steamhammer, 1969
  • Reflection (Tofubeats album) or the title song, 2022
  • Reflection (Unashamed album) or the title song, 1996
  • Reflection: Axiom of the Two Wings, by Mari Hamada, 2008
  • The Reflection (album) or the title song, by Keb’ Mo’, 2011
  • Reflection, by Mr. Children, 2015
  • Reflection, by the Shadows, 1990
  • Reflection, by Rophnan, 2018

Songs[edit]

  • «Reflection» (song), from the soundtrack of the Disney film Mulan, 1998
  • «Reflection», by BTS from Wings, 2016
  • «Reflection», by Prince from Musicology, 2004
  • «Reflection», by Seduce the Heaven, 2013
  • «Reflection», by Tool from Lateralus, 2001
  • «Reflection», by Young Dolph and Key Glock from Dum and Dummer, 2019
  • «Reflection», by Bobbie Singer
  • «The Reflection», by the Haunted from The Dead Eye, 2006

Other art[edit]

  • Reflection, installation art by Shane Cooper
  • The Reflection, a work of fiction by Hugo Wilcken

Other uses[edit]

  • Self-reflection, the ability to witness and evaluate our own cognitive, emotional, and behavioural processes
  • Reflection, a tool used in reflective practice and education

See also[edit]

  • All pages with titles beginning with Reflection
  • All pages with titles containing Reflection
  • Reflector (disambiguation)
  • Reflections (disambiguation)
  • Reflexive (disambiguation)

Источник

Other forms: reflections

Your reflection is what you see in the mirror. Other things that bounce back at you are also reflections — light waves, sound waves, even your thoughts.

Reflection comes from the Latin reflectere, made up of the prefix re-, «back,» and flectere, «to bend.» So it’s bending something back: your reflection in the mirror is the light waves that bounce your image back at you. When you pause for reflection — serious thinking, that is — your thoughts are bending inward. Reflection can also be a consequence of something: the way your dog mopes around when you’re away is a reflection of how much he misses you.

Definitions of reflection

  1. noun

    the phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface

    synonyms:

    reflexion

    see moresee less

    types:

    show 4 types…
    hide 4 types…
    flare

    am unwanted reflection in an optical system (or the fogging of an image that is caused by such a reflection)

    interreflection

    reciprocal reflection between two reflecting surfaces

    virtual image

    a reflected optical image (as seen in a plane mirror)

    zodiacal light

    a luminous tract in the sky; a reflection of sunlight from cosmic dust in the plane of the ecliptic; visible just before sunrise and just after sunset

    type of:

    physical phenomenon

    a natural phenomenon involving the physical properties of matter and energy

  2. noun

    the image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other reflective material)

    “he studied his
    reflection in the mirror”

    synonyms:

    reflexion

  3. noun

    a likeness in which left and right are reversed

  4. noun

    the ability to reflect beams or rays

  5. noun

    a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

  6. noun

    a remark expressing careful consideration

    synonyms:

    observation, reflexion

    see moresee less

    examples:

    Parkinson’s law

    C. Northcote Parkinson’s cynical observation that the number of subordinates in an organization will increase linearly regardless of the amount of work to be done

    Parkinson’s law

    C. Northcote Parkinson’s cynical observation that work will expand so as to fill the time available for its completion

    type of:

    comment, input, remark

    a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

  7. noun

    expression without words

    “the pulse is a
    reflection of the heart’s condition”

    synonyms:

    expression, manifestation, reflexion

  8. noun

    (mathematics) a transformation in which the direction of one axis is reversed

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘reflection’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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Источник

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