reflection
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.
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the phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface
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synonyms:
reflexion
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types:
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flare
am unwanted reflection in an optical system (or the fogging of an image that is caused by such a reflection)
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interreflection
reciprocal reflection between two reflecting surfaces
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virtual image
a reflected optical image (as seen in a plane mirror)
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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
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type of:
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physical phenomenon
a natural phenomenon involving the physical properties of matter and energy
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the image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other reflective material)
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a likeness in which left and right are reversed
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synonyms:
mirror image, reflexion
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type of:
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alikeness, likeness, similitude
similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
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alikeness, likeness, similitude
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the ability to reflect beams or rays
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synonyms:
reflectivity, reflexion
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types:
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echo, replication, reverberation, sound reflection
the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
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echo
a reflected television or radio or radar beam
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re-echo
the echo of an echo
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type of:
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physical property
any property used to characterize matter and energy and their interactions
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echo, replication, reverberation, sound reflection
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a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
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synonyms:
contemplation, musing, reflexion, rumination, thoughtfulness
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types:
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cogitation, study
attentive consideration and meditation
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meditation, speculation
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
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meditation
(religion) contemplation of spiritual matters (usually on religious or philosophical subjects)
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introspection, self-contemplation, self-examination
the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
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retrospect
contemplation of things past
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lucubration
laborious cogitation
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self-analysis, soul-searching
a penetrating examination of your own beliefs and motives
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examen, examination
a detailed inspection of your conscience (as done daily by Jesuits)
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type of:
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consideration
the process of giving careful thought to something
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a remark expressing careful consideration
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synonyms:
observation, reflexion
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examples:
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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
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Parkinson's law
C. Northcote Parkinson's cynical observation that work will expand so as to fill the time available for its completion
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Parkinson's law
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expression without words“the pulse is a reflection of the heart's condition”
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synonyms:
expression, manifestation, reflexion
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types:
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lamentation, mourning
the passionate and demonstrative activity of expressing grief
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act
a manifestation of insincerity
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blowup, ebullition, effusion, gush, outburst
an unrestrained expression of emotion
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acting out
a (usually irritating) impulsive and uncontrollable outburst by a problem child or a neurotic adult
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cry
a fit of weeping
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explosion
a sudden outburst
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flare
a sudden outburst of emotion
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type of:
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demo, demonstration
a visual presentation showing how something works
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(mathematics) a transformation in which the direction of one axis is reversed
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type of:
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transformation
(mathematics) a function that changes the position or direction of the axes of a coordinate system
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transformation
/rəˈflɛkʃɪn/
/rəˈflɛkʃən/
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Vocabulary lists containing reflection
In this first book of the mystery series, seventh-grader Samantha Jo Keyes looks through her binoculars and sees a burglary at the Heavenly Hotel.
David Crosby — American singer, guitarist, and songwriter — was a founding band member of the Byrds as well as Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN), and also embarked on a solo career. Crosby, as part of CSN, won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist of 1969. Twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Byrds and CSN, Crosby also became a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. As a member of the Byrds, CSN, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and later as a solo artist, Crosby's six-decade career created songs that resonated with more than three generations of folk rock fans. This tribute highlights Crosby's career through song lyrics and news articles.
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