Reflection

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ɹɪˈflÉ›kʃ(É™)n/
• Hyphenation: ref + lex + ion
• Rhymes: -É›kʃən

Alternative forms

• reflexion

Origin

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

Noun

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.
4. (consideration) Careful thought or consideration.After careful reflection, I have decided not to vote for that proposition.
5. An implied criticism.It is a reflection on his character that he never wavered in his resolve.
6. (computing) The process or mechanism of determining the capabilities of an object at run-time.

Derived terms

• reflectional
• reflectionless
• self-reflection

Related terms

• reflect
• reflective
• reflector