reflectv.

Brit.

/rᵻˈflɛkt/, U.S.

/rəˈflɛk(t)/,

/riˈflɛk(t)/

Forms:

α. late Middle English reflecte (past participle), late Middle English–1500s reflecte, late Middle English– reflect.

β. Scottish pre-1700 reflecke, 1800s reflek, 1800s– refleck.

Origin: Either (i) a borrowing from French. Or (ii) a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French reflectir, reflecter; Latin reflectere.

Etymology: < Middle French reflectir to reflect (light), (reflexive) to be brought back (both c1400), reflecter (of light) to be reflected (1530) or its etymon classical Latin reflectere to bend back, to turn round, to retrace one's steps, turn back, to turn away (the face, gaze), to turn back, reverse, in post-classical Latin also to reflect (of a mirror) (c1240 in a British source) < re- re- prefix + flectere flex v. Compare (with alteration after flechir flecche v.) Old French, Middle French reflechir , French réfléchir to reflect (light) (13th cent.), to push back, to send back (1380), to meditate, reflect deeply (17th cent.; compare Middle French se reflechir sur soi (16th cent.)), to meditate (on) or think deeply (about) (17th cent.), and also ( < reflet reflet n.) refléter to reflect (light) (1762). Compare also Italian riflettere (1319 as reflettere ), Spanish reflectir (15th cent.). Compare deflect v., inflect v.Sense 4 apparently shows a sense development within English, and probably results from the sun and reflective surfaces such as mirrors, etc., being considered alike as immediate sources of light, without regard to whether that light is direct or reflected.

a. transitive. To bend or turn (something) back, to give a backward bend or curve to (usually in passive); (Surgery) to fold back (a flap of tissue) to expose underlying structures. Formerly also: †to bend (the legs) (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [verb (transitive)] > backwards

reflect?a1425

recurvate1598

recurve1598

?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 76^v (MED) Þat diafragma is reflecte, i. bowed agayn, in his contiguacioun wiþ þe spine.

c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in MS Wellcome 564 f. 36^v (MED) Þis pannycle..diuidiþ al þe concauite of þe brest fro þe wombe..and his hemme or brymme ys reflectid or bowid wel an ynche vpward.

1578 J. Banister Hist. Man i. f. 12^v The neither iawe is Orbicular..the vtmost endes wherof are ascendently reflected.

1609 W. M. Man in Moone E iij b He fleareth not in your face for nothing, nor reflects his legges without some surmised reason.

1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 342 The coccyx sometime more reflected to give the easier delivery.

1768 T. Pennant Brit. Zool. (new ed.) II. ii. 353 The bill is..not quite strait, but a little reflected upwards.

1845 H. W. Herbert Warwick Woodlands 35 The drake reflects his purple neck to preen his ruffled wing.

1846 F. Brittan tr. J. F. Malgaigne Man. Operative Surg. 195 The horizontal incision being made, convert it into a T by a vertical incision..and reflect the two flaps.

1869 H. Ussher in Eng. Mech. 3 Dec. 271/2 From the under surface of the eyelid a thin membrane is reflected on the ball.

1916 Lancet 13 May 988/2 This latter bone is exposed right up to its junction with its fellow by reflecting the flap of skin, soft parts, and periosteum on the nasal side of the field of operation.

1930 H. G. Newth Marshall & Hurst's Junior Course Pract. Zool. (ed. 11) xiv. 343 The mesentery is a double layer of peritoneum, reflected from the dorsal wall of the abdomen.

1979 L. Shainberg Brain Surgeon (1980) vii. 173 Utilizing periosteal elevators, a full-thickness scalp flap was reflected including pericranium.

2007 Neurosci. Lett. 414 229/1 The periosteum was reflected to expose the right frontal skull.

†b. transitive. figurative. To turn or force inwards or backwards. Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 139 A deadly antipathy reflecting themselues vppon themselues.

1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis 60 Whence the spirits streined and reflected, rise again.

c. intransitive. To bend or curve back or backwards. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [verb (intransitive)] > backwards

recurve1610

reflect1732

recurvate1788

1732 Philos. Trans. 1731–2 (Royal Soc.) 37 282 About the middle of the Abdomen it sent out two smaller portions, the one was inserted into the mesentery, the other reflecting back, was inserted into the Colon.

1756 P. Browne Civil & Nat. Hist. Jamaica ii. ii. 352 The leaves..stand in the same manner, reflecting a little backwards from the direction of the foot-stalks.

1797 Encycl. Brit. VIII. 465/2 A Chain affixed thereto, reflecting over the back.

1849 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 139 139 The hypoglossus arises from the inferior border of the body of hyoid bone and ascends to its superior border, the fibres diverging; afterwards it reflects backwards in the throat, the fibres forming a fan-like expansion.

1927 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 13 374 When the medullar hyperplasia is very large..it reflects back on the medullar cells and fibers caudally to the connection.

2004 Lancet 28 Feb. 717/2 The inner serosal layer of pericardium adheres to the myocardium, forming the visceral pericardium or epicardium, before reflecting back on itself to become contiguous with the outer fibroserous layer of parietal pericardium.

†2.

a. transitive. To direct into or away from a course, to divert; to turn aside, deflect. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement of [verb (transitive)] > cause to deviate from course

charec1000

wrencha1200

turnc1275

to turn againc1330

swerve1390

wrya1400

reflectc1425

traverse1438

to turn aside1535

deduce1541

divert1548

to turn off1573

wrig1582

react1599

deflect1615

slent1639

decline1646

deviate1660

to wind off1677

sway1678

warp1814

switch1861

baffle1883

c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. 746 (MED) By archis strong his cours for to reflecte Þoruȝ condut pipis.

1614 S. Purchas Pilgrimage (ed. 2) i. ii. 13 Dazled with this greater light [sc. the sun] I would reflect mine eyes to that reflexion of this light in the sober, siluer countenance of the..Moone.

1654 J. Reynolds Flower of Fidelity (new ed.) 7 They beheld..pillars of bright shining Alabaster; from which by chance reflecting their eyes, they forthwith saw a sweet amiable Lady.

1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 61 I conceive that, when easterly and westerly winds meet with unequal force, one of them may be reflected northward.

1815 in E. Polehampton Gallery Nature & Art III. 328 The current..crosses to America, and is there divided and reflected southwards towards the Brazils, and northwards into the Gulf stream.

1860 W. Cathrall Guide through N. Wales ii. 40 On reaching the summit of this branch of the Hiraethogs the dividing line is reflected westward along the mountain.

b. transitive. figurative and in figurative contexts. Cf. deflect v. 3. Obsolete.In quot. ?1611: to turn aside from anger, appease; cf. reflection n. 2b.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > turn aside from > cause to

writhea1400

wrya1400

reflecta1500

reverta1500

withstand1508

reversec1540

declinea1555

evert1569

deflecta1575

divert1609

bias1628

blank1640

avert1697

shunt1858

sidetrack1887

ride1908

a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 139 (MED) Nature reflectiþ [L. reflectit] all þynge to himself, & for himself he striueþ & arguiþ.

1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance xi. f. 21 Noo kynde of affection..mought reflecte hym from the sharpe execution of his lawes.

1598 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 3 Last Bks. vi. 89 Shall the controller of proud Nemesis In lawlesse rage vpbrayd ech others vice, While no man seeketh to reflect the wrong And crub the rauge of his mis-ruly tongue?

?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads ix. 180 Such rites beseeme Ambassadors: and Nestor vrged these, That their most honours might reflect enrag'd Æacides.

1827 T. Hood Plea Midsummer Fairies liv, in Plea Midsummer Fairies & Other Poems 28 It raised my bile To see him so reflect their grief aside.

c. intransitive. To deviate; to go to or come away from a place. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > move in a certain direction [verb (intransitive)]

goeOE

wendOE

makeOE

aim?a1400

to make one's waya1425

reflect1547

work1566

to make up1596

path1597

sway1600

tend1648

vergea1661

steer1693

1547 A. Borde Breuiary of Helthe i. f. lxxxxv^v This impediment doth come of the corrupcion of humours reflectyng more to a perticuler place than to vnyuersall places.

1593 B. Barnes Parthenophil & Parthenophe 72 Then from her Sphœre, did Venus downe reflect, Least Mars by chance her bewtie should affect.

a. intransitive. Of light, a ray, etc.: to undergo reflection; to turn back after striking a surface. Also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (intransitive)]

rebounda1398

glentc1400

reflect?a1439

reflamec1450

reverberate1598

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > reflection > reflect [verb (intransitive)]

reflect?a1439

a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. 5660 (MED) Yit it was nat but a likenesse And but a shadwe reflectyng off his face.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 682/2 I can nat abyde here, the sonne beames reflecte so sore.

1624 F. Quarles Sions Sonets v. 1 From Thee Reflect those rayes, that haue enlightned mee.

1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 260 Sore Eyes are..caused by the burning heat of the Sun, which reflects from the Ground upon the Eyes.

1703 Moxon's Mech. Dyalling (ed. 4) in Moxon's Mech. Exercises (new ed.) 346 When the Sun Shines upon the Glass at Nodus, its Beames shall reflect upon the Hour of the Day.

1827 R. Emmons Fredoniad 68 A light, reflecting on the coffin clouds; Pure like the splendour of a star at night.

1867 Voice of Masonry June 235/2 The Great Pool of Gahon was directly before him, the rays of the declining sun reflecting from its now dry and dusty basin.

1924 Times 27 Aug. 7/2 The light reflects through another opening on to the edge of the film.

1960 J. Barth Sot-weed Factor ii. xiii. 253 Over the pirates' foremast hung the gibbous moon, its light reflecting whitely from the fluttering gaff-topsails.

2008 Sci. Amer. (U.K. ed.) Dec. 15/2 Whenever any wave encounters any abrupt change of conditions..some of it will reflect back.

b. intransitive. Of things other than light: to return, rebound; to bounce back, esp. after contact with a hard surface. Also figurative. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > turn back or retrace one's steps

charec1000

i-cherrec1000

again-wendOE

again-turna1375

to turn backc1425

reflect1608

redambulate1623

to tread back one's steps1777

back track1802

to try back1816

back-track1904

back-trail1907

1608 Bp. T. Morton Preamble Incounter 1 To throw dust against the wind, which will reflect and returne with greater violence upon his own face.

1693 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. vii. 25 Inanimate unactive Matter moves always in a streight Line, nor ever reflects in an Angle, nor bends in a Circle.., unless [etc.].

1708 J. Keill Acct. Animal Secretion 31 They must necessarily hit one against another, and being elastic, reflect from one another.

1996 R. E. Wyatt & C. Iung in R. E. Wyatt & J. Z. H. Zhang Dynamics of Molecules & Chem. Reactions ii. 80 It is evident that the chain must be made long enough so that reflections from the end ball do not have time to reflect back toward the left and spoil the amplitude of the first ball.

2005 A. P. Moravsky et al. in M. Meyyappan Carbon Nanotubes iii. 90 Thus depleted of material, the backward-moving portion of the plume reflects from the surface and begins to move out to join the main body of the plume.

†c. intransitive. To reflect light or colour. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1611 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) i. iii. 54 There's not a House, but seemeth to be new; Th'even-slated Roofs reflect with glistring blew [Fr. L'ardoise luit par tout].

1730 A. Gordon tr. F. S. Maffei Compl. Hist. Anc. Amphitheatres 351 The red..and yellow Coverings of the Theatre reflected back on the Assembly of Spectators,..undulating the whole with their Colours.

1869 J. Tyndall in Fortn. Rev. 1 Feb. 244 It [sc. a cloud] is absolutely incompetent to reflect upwards or downwards.

†a. transitive. To shine (light, a beam, a ray), esp. on or upon a person or thing. Frequently in figurative contexts. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > emit beams (of a luminary) [verb (transitive)]

reflecta1456

streekc1480

shoot1596

stream1880

a1456 ( J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 695 (MED) Phebus with his feruent heet Reflecteþe his light vpon þe swyfft streeme Of Ewfratees.

1601 W. Cornwallis Disc. Seneca sig. F5 It is not true that the rayes of this light are onely reflected vpon our soules.

1615 R. A. Valiant Welshman v. v. sig. I 3^v Now famous Rome, that lately lay obscurde In the darke cloudes of Bryttish infamy, Appeares victorious in her conquering Robes, And like the Sunne, that in the midst of heauen Reflects more glory on the teeming earth: So fares it with triumphant Rome this day.

1689 W. Bates Sure Trial Uprightness 46 They hated him, because the Father's Love to them was faint in comparison to the warm Beams reflected upon Joseph.

1792 T. Odiorne Progr. Refinment i. 28 The bright sun, reflecting o'er the world His rays, relumes creation.

1852 C. Hammond Light from Spirit World x. 209 The sun reflects rays of light. It is the orb of light. It gives light to the rich and the poor.

†b. intransitive. Of light, a beam, etc.: to shine on or upon a person or thing; (also of a light source) to illuminate something with rays or beams. Frequently figurative and in figurative contexts. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > light > shine [verb (intransitive)] > shine upon or give light

beshinea1300

reflect1594

strike1662

lighten1814

1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus i. i. 226 Lord Saturnine: whose vertues will I hope, Reflect on Rome as Tytus Raies on earth.

1600 T. Nashe Summers Last Will sig. D3 The same he wrote with blood vpon a glasse, And turnd it opposite gainst the new moone; Whose beames reflecting on it with full force, Shewd all those lynes, to them that stood behinde.

1619 A. Gorges tr. F. Bacon Wisedome Ancients xiv. 71 Whose statue also (the Sunne reflecting on it with his morning beames) did vsually (as is reported) send forth a mournfull sound.

1662 R. Burney Κέρδιστον Δῶρον 4 Their Prerogative which is..a beam resultant from Gods Majestie, and reflects upon the people for their good.

1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub viii. 155 Whether Reason reflecting upon the Sum of Things, can like the Sun, serve only to enlighten one half of the Globe.

c. transitive. figurative. Of a fact, explanation, etc.: to shed (light) on or upon a subject, question, or issue (sometimes indirectly).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > expound, explain [verb (transitive)]

arecchec885

unloukOE

overrunOE

sutelec1000

trahtnec1000

unfolda1050

belayc1175

openc1175

onopena1200

accountc1300

undo?a1366

remenea1382

interpret1382

unwrap1387

exploitc1390

enlumine1393

declarec1400

expoundc1400

unplait?c1400

enperc1420

planea1425

clearc1440

exponec1440

to lay outc1440

to give (also carry) lightc1449

unwind1482

expose1483

reducea1500

manifest1530

explicate1531

explaina1535

unlock?1536

dilucidate1538

elucidate1538

illustrate1538

rechec1540

explicate1543

illucidate1545

enucleate1548

unsnarl1555

commonstrate1563

to lay forth1577

straighten1577

unbroid1577

untwist1577

decipherc1586

illuminate1586

enlighten1587

resolvec1592

cipher1594

eliquidate1596

to take (a person) with one1599

rivelc1600

ravel1604

unbowel1606

unmist1611

extricate1614

unbolta1616

untanglea1616

enode1623

unperplexa1631

perspicuate1634

explata1637

unravel1637

esclarea1639

clarify1642

unweave1642

detenebrate1646

dismystery1652

undecipher1654

unfork1654

unparadox1654

reflect1655

enodate1656

unmysterya1661

liquidatea1670

recognize1676

to clear upa1691

to throw sidelight on1726

to throw (also cast, shed) light on (also upon)1731

eclaircise1754

irradiate1864

unbraid1880

predigest1905

to get (something) straight1920

disambiguate1960

demystify1963

1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. v. 243 Many passages..which may reflect much light upon our Church-History.

1684 T. Burnet Theory of Earth i. v. 65 It receives such a clear and easie explication from that Origin and Fabrick we have given to the first Earth, and also reflects light upon the Theory itself.

1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xvii. 67 An attempt to explain them may perhaps reflect some light on the interesting subject of the finances of the declining empire.

1832 J. Chadwick New Light on Christian Baptism i. ii. 13 As an example of adult baptism merely, it reflects light upon the present question.

1863 C. Wordsworth Jrnl. Tour Italy I. iii. 86 I offer no comment on these circumstances, but recount them simply as reflecting some light on the present condition of the Church in this city.

1960 Social Forces 38 204/1 The local election..does reflect some light upon what is likely to be one of the most pressing concerns of students of metropolitan growth.

1992 J. Haldane Faithful Reason (2004) v. xx. 267 What I have to say here may reflect some light upon the source of this difference.

a. transitive. Of an object or surface, esp. one that is bright or polished: to stop the passage of and send back (a sunbeam, ray of light); frequently in passive with from. Also in figurative contexts.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (transitive)]

rebounda1450

reflexc1536

reflect1555

return1557

repercuss1604

retort1609

refract1621

reverberate1638

to throw back1698

flash1716

to give back1831

glint1844

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > reflection > reflect [verb (transitive)]

reflect1555

1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 121^v The valley therfore receaueth, both those beames whiche faule directly theron, and also those whiche are reflected downwarde from euery syde of the montaynes [L. & praecipitem cliuorum ac montium ex transuerso].

1573 P. Moore Almanack D vj b Whether the sayd beames [sc. the sun's] be extended unto the Earth, or reflected backwardes again, do forshew tempest of windes comming.

c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cxxi. 14, in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 214 No sunne shall hurt thee With beames to violently right reflected.

1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida v. sig. I Marry but shine, and ile reflect your beames.

1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 43 The Crystal Sands..refracting and reflecting the Suns rays, seem here and there of Rainbow-colours.

1693 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. viii. 5 The Light of the Moon reflected from frozen Snow.

1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics Introd. 2 When light falls upon any body whatever, part of it is reflected or driven back.

1839 C. Darwin in R. Fitzroy & C. Darwin Narr. Surv. Voy. H.M.S. Adventure & Beagle III. xiii. 306 Owing to the abundance of light reflected from the white and glittering surface, no shadows are cast on any part.

1871 T. G. Hake Madeline 67 Like the moon in space With inspiration burns, Reflecting light whichever way it turns.

1946 W. Ivins Art & Geom. vii. 99 The rays of the sun when reflected from a parabolic or burning mirror converged at a point which was known as the burning point.

2001 R. Sabbag in H. Marks Bk. Dope Stories v. 410 A late model four-by-four, its high-gloss paint reflecting the sunshine, parked on the hardscrabble outside.

b. transitive. Esp. of a hard surface: to throw or cast back (a thing); to cause to return or rebound. Also figurative. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > rebound > cause to rebound [verb (transitive)]

reboundc1560

brick wall1596

rejerk1606

bricole1611

reflect1613

to beat back1715

bounce1876

tamp1971

1613 G. Wither Abuses Stript i. iv. sig. E2 The shafts are aim'd at me, but Ile reiect them, And on the shooters too, perhaps reflect them.

1656 tr. T. Hobbes Elements Philos. iii. xix. 204 A Body, falling upon the superficies of another Body and being reflected from it.

1656 tr. T. Hobbes Elements Philos. iii. xix. 204 If two straight lines drawn from the same point, fall upon another straight line, the lines reflected from them, if they be drawn out the other way, will meet in an angle equal to the angle of the Incident lines.

1722 W. Wollaston Relig. of Nature vi. 132 It is that violence, of which he is the author, reflected back upon himself.

1799 J. Wood Princ. Mech. (ed. 2) vi. §206. 121 Each body will therefore be reflected with a velocity equal to that which it had before impact.

1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. 762/2 (caption) When the ball H is reflected by a fixed obstacle, as by the cushion of a billiard table.

1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §799 What is called a spark plate (a broad plate of cast iron, to reflect back the sparks).

2002 T. Budd Understanding Object-oriented Programming with Java (rev. ed.) vii. 111 A ball intersects a wall if their regions overlap, and if so the ball is simply reflected back, in effect bouncing off the wall.

c. transitive. Of an object or surface: to send back (heat, sound, or any kind of radiation or wave) that is incident on it, in the way that light is reflected by a mirror.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > emit [verb (transitive)] > reflect

reflect1672

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > radio wave > cast back [verb (transitive)]

reflect1672

the world > matter > physics > mechanics > types of motion > [verb (transitive)] > actions of or upon waves

refract1563

reflect1672

the world > matter > physics > energy or power of doing work > supply with energy [verb (transitive)] > emit energy > reflect

reflect1672

the world > matter > physics > science of sound > sound-waves > emit, transmit [verb (transitive)] > reflect

reflect1672

the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > alpha radiation > reflect [verb (transitive)]

reflect1672

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > heat > transmission of heat > conduct, convect [verb (transitive)] > reflect

reflect1774

1672 I. Newton Let. 11 June in Corr. (1959) I. 175 It depends on the thicknesse of a thin transparent Plate or Bubble, whether a vibration shall be reflected at its further superficies or transmitted.

1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity ii, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 455 The vocal triumphs bound Against the hills: the hills reflect the sound.

1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 351 The land..receives a greater quantity of heat, and reflects it more strongly.

1822 T. Webster Imison's Elem. Sci. & Art (new ed.) I. 230 Buildings constructed of certain shapes..have this property of reflecting sounds in a remarkable manner.

1909 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 82 495 The fraction of the incident α-particles which are reflected.

1954 F. L. Wright Natural House ii. 159 A white-top is economical partly because white, of course, reflects heat rather than absorbs it.

1984 A. C. Duxbury & A. Duxbury Introd. World's Oceans viii. 261 A straight, smooth, vertical barrier in water..will reflect the waves.

d. transitive. Physiology. To transmit (a nerve impulse), esp. along a motor nerve, in response to a stimulus or impulse from a sensory nerve. Usually in passive. Now chiefly historical.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > biology > biological processes > action of nervous system > [verb (transitive)] > reception or transmission of impulses

reflect1833

summate1880

facilitate1894

recruit1925

1833 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 123 638 An impression made upon the extremities of certain nerves is conveyed to the medulla oblongata or the medulla spinalis, and is reflected along other nerves to parts adjacent to, or remote from, that which has received the impression.

1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect Introd. ii. 50 When an action takes place on this inner surface,..there is reflected a stimulus to the muscle that closes the [eye-]lids.

1906 H. W. Syers tr. J. P. Morat Physiol. Nerv. Syst. ii. 218 The impulse is reflected from the posterior roots to the tracts of the spinal cord, in conscious impressions.

2003 Jrnl. Clin. Neurosci. 10 15/2 Reflex action occurred when incoming afferent activity which reached the striatum was ‘reflected’ back along the descending motor pathways.

a. transitive. Of a reflective surface: to return or cast back an image of (a person or thing); (also) to display (an image of a person or thing); to mirror.In early use chiefly in figurative contexts.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (transitive)] > an image

reflect1582

reflex1590

render1598

glassa1628

redouble1728

image1792

mirror1820

1582 S. Batman Vppon Bartholome, De Proprietatibus Rerum xi. f. 167^v/1 The aire is thickned into thinne clowdes, in the which as in a glasse the Images being farre distant, of Castles, of mountaines, of horses and men, and of other things, are reflected.

1619 P. Hannay Happy Husband sig. C2^v Thou must be a mirror, to reflect Thy Husbands mind.

1673 in J. Ogilby tr. J. Nieuhof Embassy E.-India Company (ed. 2) App. 397 The inward Wall is vested with particolour'd Marble, which is so polish'd, that like a bright Mirror it reflecteth the Face of the Beholder.

1713 J. Addison Cato i. vi The floating mirrour shines, Reflects each flow'r that on the border grows.

1790 W. Cowper On Receipt Mother's Picture 93 The floods that show Her beauteous form reflected clear below.

1816 P. B. Shelley Alastor 35 The rivulet...Reflecting every herb and drooping bud That overhung its quietness.

1836 W. S. Landor Pericles & Aspasia I. 171 A shallow water may reflect the sun as perfectly as a deeper.

1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic 1 It is like a mirror reflecting the objects that are held up before it.

1908 E. M. Forster Room with View xii. 198 There lay the pond, set in its little alp of green—only a pond, but large enough to contain the human body, and pure enough to reflect the sky.

1989 N. Sherry Life Graham Greene I. xvii A mirror stretched across one wall, reflecting my face as I stared into it.

2003 St. Petersburg (Florida) Times (Nexis) 16 Apr. 5 Greg Arbutine's image is reflected in an antique English mirrored plateau, worth almost $7,000.

b. transitive. figurative. To display as if in a mirror; to reproduce, esp. faithfully or accurately; to depict. Also more generally: to reveal (an underlying reality or cause); to make manifest, express.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > representation > [verb (transitive)] > as in a mirror

mirrorize1598

reflect1601

mirror1827

1601 W. I. Whipping of Satyre sig. E3 Ransacke your conscience, you shall find it so; For to our eye it still reflects our ill; Man may be brib'd, his conscience neuer will.

1624 B. Jonson Neptunes Triumph 113 All the glories of his great designes Are read, reflected, in his sonnes returne!

a1771 T. Gray tr. Dante in Wks. (1884) I. 159 I beheld My Sons, and in four Faces saw my own Despair reflected.

1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 92 If all we find possessing earth, sea, air, Reflect his attributes who placed them there.

1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound ii. iv. 85 And mothers, gazing, drank the love men see Reflected in their race.

1858 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) III. xvii. 498 The law..reflects the plain sentiments of the better order of average men.

1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §1. 455 This balanced attitude of the Crown reflected faithfully enough the balanced attitude of the nation.

1931 H. Read Meaning of Art ii. 128 Scarcely any other painter of the last century so faithfully reflects the life and spirit of his period.

1988 L. Ellmann Sweet Desserts 24 Did all the ads for fat women reflect a hitherto imperceptible erotic trend?

1995 Farmers Weekly 31 Mar. 33/1 Store prices are slightly down on last year, reflecting a fat cattle trade down by 4p or 5p/kg.

c. intransitive. To appear reproduced or imaged; to be mirrored. Now rare and literary.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (intransitive)] > be reflected (as an image)

again-shinea1382

reluce?a1425

reflect1608

mirror1832

1608 B. Jonson Characters Two Royall Masques ii. sig. D^v Sixteene Masquers were plac'd by couples: behind them, in the center of the Throne was a tralucent Pillar, shining with seuerall colour'd lights, that reflected on their backs.

1667 G. Berkeley Hist. Applic. (new ed.) x. 30 The Dog (in the Fable) having meat in his mouth by the water side, and perceiving the shadow of it reflect..opened his mouth greedily in hopes to get it.

1820 J. Keats Lamia i, in Lamia & Other Poems 25 A silver lamp, whose phosphor glow Reflected in the slabbed steps below.

1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 208 Brooks curl o'er their sandy bed; On whose tide the clouds reflect.

1907 D. S. Shorter Coll. Poems 281 I set a tree..and bent it so That each young branch, outspreading in the sun, Reflects in shadow on the sod below.

1992 I. Banks Crow Road ix. 220 The day was fabulous; clear and cold, the sky crystal blue and reflecting in the..glinting length of Loch Add.

d. transitive. To cause (light or lights, other than an image) to be seen as a result of reflection.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (transitive)] > give out light as a result of reflection

reflect1719

1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 211 The Walls reflected 100 thousand Lights to me from my two Candles.

1727 J. Thomson Summer 14 The briny Deep..Reflects from every fluctuating Wave, A Glance.

1992 E. Goudge Such Devoted Sisters i. 28 Annie could see the pool gleaming darkly, its glassy surface twinkling with sparks of orange light reflected by the electric tiki torches.

a. intransitive. To engage in reflection (reflection n. 7); to consider, meditate.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > consciousness > contemplation of self > reflect on oneself [verb]

bethinkc1000

rememberc1405

to descend into (also within) oneself1539

finger1546

reflect1595

recollect1640

introvert1671

Hamletize1844

introspect1884

the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > meditate, reflect [verb (intransitive)]

howOE

study?c1225

bethinkc1300

muse1340

recorda1400

imaginec1400

to take thoughtc1450

contemplaire1474

medite1483

remord1535

contemplate?1538

ruminate1547

meditate1560

scance1606

excogitate1630

cogitate1633

reflect1772

1595 Problemes of Aristotle sig. G5 To reflect and looke vnto himselfe, is a token that we are separated from the flesh.

1644 T. Hill Season for Englands Selfe-reflection 17 The children of God..ought presently to reflect by self-consideration, when they see their Fathers displeasure once begin to appeare.

1697 W. Congreve Mourning Bride ii. 99 I haue not leisure to reflect, or know, Or trifle time in thinking.

1704 J. Norris Ess. Ideal World II. iii. 121 There is but here and there a man that reflects..and carefully observes what's doing in his own mind.

1715 D. Defoe Family Instructor I. i. i. 8 Reflect and argue, and know both your self, and Him that made you.

1772 J. Priestley Inst. Relig. I. 133 It is necessary..that we think and reflect before we act.

1825 S. T. Coleridge Aids Refl. 3 The noblest object of reflection is the mind itself, by which we reflect.

1832 T. P. Thompson Exercises (1842) II. 327 Now just reflect,—meditate for as long time as would soft-boil an egg.

1836 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. (1837) III. xii. 188 I am speaking of those of us who have learned to reflect,..not of the incurious or illiterate.

1841 G. P. R. James Brigand xxv I wish you to pause, reflect, and judge before you decide.

1903 H. Keller Story of my Life i. xx. 68 I used to have time to think, to reflect, my mind and I.

1992 N.Y. Times Bk. Rev. 11 Oct. 32/3 Under the pressure of brutalizing work in the home or out of it, she may have indeed stopped thinking... It may be necessary to disappear for a while..in order to begin to reflect.

b. transitive. With clause as object: to think about, consider.

ΚΠ

1623 J. Abbot Iesus Præfigured ii. sig. O4 Her Nuns must oft retire vnto their Cell, And there reflect, how idly or how well They haue spent precious time.

1670 T. White Notes on Mr. F. D.'s Result of Dialogue 57 I pray therefore reflect that when Philosophers agree, Identity of Time is necessary to contradiction, it is not out of the nature of Time it self.

a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 14 I have sometimes reflected for what reason the Turks should [etc.].

1772 W. Jones Ess. Poetry Eastern Nations in Poems 188 They do not reflect that every nation has a set of images, and expressions, peculiar to itself.

1842 F. Marryat Percival Keene II. i. 13 As I watched for daylight, I began to reflect how this could have happened; and it occurred to me that the pirates had scuttled the bottom of the vessel to sink her; and in this conjecture I was right.

a1854 H. Reed Lect. Eng. Hist. (1856) i. 11 Reflect how often our sense of truth is impaired or impeded.

1894 H. Caine Manxman v. xxi. 419 He reflected that he had no right to do this.

1919 V. Woolf Night & Day xxxiii. 506 Even if she started the very moment that she got it [sc. a letter], he reflected, she would not be home till Tuesday night.

1958 I. Murdoch Bell vii. 116 He reflected with surprise that it was many years since he had had so sharp a consciousness of his external appearance.

1984 A. Lee Sarah Phillips 109 I reflected that she was the first of many who would try to make my father's death into something all their own.

2006 Managem. Today Jan. 84/2 He'll just sit and listen to her complaining and navel-gazing, reflecting that sometimes executive coaching is like being a social worker.

c. transitive. With direct speech as object: to say or utter thoughtfully or meditatively (usually to oneself).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > consider, deliberate [verb (transitive)]

i-thenchec897

showeOE

i-mune971

thinkOE

overthinkOE

takec1175

umbethinkc1175

waltc1200

bethinkc1220

wend?c1225

weighc1380

delivera1382

peisea1382

considerc1385

musec1390

to look over ——a1393

advise?c1400

debatec1400

roll?c1400

revert?a1425

advertc1425

deliberc1425

movec1425

musec1425

revolvec1425

contemplec1429

overseec1440

to think overc1440

perpend1447

roil1447

pondera1450

to eat inc1450

involvec1470

ponderate?a1475

reputec1475

counterpoise1477

poisea1483

traversec1487

umbecast1487

digest1488

undercast1489

overhalec1500

rumble1519

volve?1520

compassa1522

recount1526

trutinate1528

cast1530

expend1531

ruminate1533

concoct1534

contemplate1538

deliberate1540

revolute1553

chawa1558

to turn over1568

cud1569

cogitate1570

huik1570

chew1579

meditatec1580

discourse1581

speculate1599

theorize1599

scance1603

verse1614

pensitate1623

agitate1629

spell1633

study1659

designa1676

introspect1683

troll1685

balance1692

to figure on or upon1837

reflect1862

mull1873

to mull over1874

scour1882

mill1905

1862 Mrs. H. Wood Channings II. vii. 102 ‘No, no; it would not be right of him to make me his wife now,’ she reflected.

1881 C. E. L. Riddell Senior Partner II. xi. 223 ‘She has the Pousnett kind of talk,’ he reflected, ‘and the same uppish way with her.’

1890 M. Sidney Five Little Peppers Midway xxii. 450 ‘I've skinned through and saved my neck a thousand times,’ he reflected, ‘and now I've got to dig like sixty to make up.’

1906 E. Phillpotts Portreeve i. vi. 50 ‘Let what will come, there's amusement in it,’ she reflected. ‘'Tis hunting of a sort. Fox-hunting—man-hunting—what more has life for me?’

1999 C. Brookmyre One Fine Day in Middle of Night (2000) 6 ‘Well, it's a fish-in-a-barrel affair, I suppose,’ he reflected. ‘As long as they know one end of a gun from the other, there's not really a lot can go wrong.’

8. With on or upon.

a. intransitive. To fix the thoughts or attention (back) on something, esp. a past event or experience; to think deeply or carefully about; to ponder, mull over, contemplate. Also occasionally with †of, over.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > think about, consider [verb (intransitive)]

thinkOE

bethinka1200

umthinka1300

to have mind ofc1300

casta1340

studya1375

delivera1382

to chew the cudc1384

to take advisementa1393

stema1400

compassc1400

advisec1405

deliberc1405

to make it wisec1405

to take deliberationc1405

enter?a1413

riddlec1426

hovec1440

devise?c1450

to study by (also in) oneself?c1450

considerc1460

porec1500

regard1523

deliberate1543

to put on one's thinking or considering cap1546

contemplate1560

consult1565

perpend1568

vise1568

to consider of1569

weigh1573

ruminate1574

dascanc1579

to lay to (one's) heart1588

pondera1593

debate1594

reflect1596

comment1597

perponder1599

revolvea1600

rumine1605

consider on, upon1606

to think twice1623

reflex1631

spell1645

ponderatea1652

to turn about1725

to cast a thought, a reflection upon1736

to wake over1771

incubatea1847

mull1857

fink1888

1596 A. Copley Fig for Fortune 9 One while conceipting Catoes death-auailes, And then anon reflecting on his stinke, Thus strayd I most in dread & deaths instinct.

1600 R. Chambers Palestina 153 This sequell perchance made the Egyptians to reflect the more vpon their Idols fall.

1607 B. Jonson Volpone ii. ii. sig. E2^v Would I reflect on the price? why, the whole World were but..as a priuate Purse, to the purchase of it.

1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 134 Having reflected a little on the Danger which we had escaped, we viewed the second Pyramide.

1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. i. 13 We are plainly constituted such sort of Creatures as to reflect upon our own Nature.

1751 tr. Female Foundling II. 10 I would for ever blot out of my Memory, and reflect of nothing for the future but my Obligations to you.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxii. 155 I paused here for a moment, and reflected on the work before me.

1879 J. Lubbock Addresses, Polit. & Educ. viii. 147 It is a melancholy subject to reflect on.

1906 W. S. Maugham Bishop's Apron ix. 137 Winnie reflected over this for a moment.

1990 P. Ustinov Old Man & Mr Smith xiv. 179 We will now break for an early lunch, in which we have time to reflect on this morning's events.

†b. transitive. To direct towards or cast (one's eyes, thoughts, or attention) (back) over a thing. Also occasionally intransitive. Obsolete.Common in 17th cent.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > thought > think or have in mind [verb (transitive)]

holdOE

thinkOE

makea1400

carry1583

entertain1583

lodge1583

conceit?1589

reflect1611

braina1616

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > glance or look quickly

glent1303

gliffc1330

gleam1340

blenka1375

keekc1405

glidec1425

gliffen1489

runa1500

glish1570

glance1582

to glance one's eye, look1590

blink1592

squint1610

reflect1611

teet1710

glisk1720

glint1888

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold

to look to ——eOE

showeOE

lookeOE

lookOE

behold971

beseec1000

seeOE

to see on ——OE

yseeOE

belookc1175

to look against ——c1225

to lay eyes onc1230

biwaita1250

holde1303

aseea1325

to see upon ——a1350

rewardc1350

to look of ——?c1400

eyea1425

visage1450

aviewa1513

gove1513

regard1523

to look unto ——1545

respect1567

survise1600

aspect1610

reflect1611

inspeculate1694

spectate1709

to look for ——1786

deek1825

lookit1908

lamp1916

1611 R. Brathwait Golden Fleece (Argument) sig. B If thou wilt haue this Golden Fleece, this prize, With due attention here reflect thine eyes.

a1612 J. Harington Brief View Church of Eng. in Nugæ Antiquæ (1804) II. 166 When I reflect my thought and eye upon that I have formerly written.

a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Captaine iv. iv, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ii^v/2 Let thine eyes Reflect upon thy soule, and there behold How loathed blacke it is.

1650 S. Sheppard Amandus & Sophronia v. 32 He perceived the King beheld him, but with halfe a face, seeming more to reflect upon his Officers..then himselfe.

1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 195 Let me minde the Reader to reflect his eye on our Quotations.

a1677 I. Barrow Serm. Several Occasions (1678) 513 If we reflect our thoughts on the first Ages of Christianity.

1702 T. Wise Serm. (ed. 2) 17 Let us lastly, in View of this Instance of Mortality, reflect an Eye back upon our selves.

1842 S. O'Grady Emigrant 54 Ah! fair Maria, grace thy loved lorn hills, Reflect thine eyes upon these neighbouring rills, And let each fountain bear thine image true.

†c. intransitive. With (up)on. To show regard or consideration for a person or thing; to value, appreciate. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (transitive)] > attach importance to

weigh?c1225

chargec1320

set by1393

to attribute (much)1586

to stand upon ——1587

moment1598

to lay weight upon1600

reflecta1616

to take (large etc.) stock in (rarely of)1870

a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. vi. 23 He is one of the Noblest note... Reflect vpon him accordingly, as you value your trust.

1641 J. Johnson Acad. Love 6 How couldest thou forget thy Danoe? why didst not thou reflect upon her, whose mute consent opened her willingnesse to thy wishes?

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Surrey 84 He became a favorite to the duke of Florence, who highly reflected on his abilities.

1723 E. Ward Nuptial Dialogues & Deb. (ed. 2) I. 143 If a young Wife should want an Heir, And pine at the Dishonour, Her Husband ought to have a Care How he reflects upon her.

9. With on or upon. To cast a reflection (reflection n. 9) on; to show in a bad light. Now rare.This use is now generally superseded by the sense 11, in which negative or positive intent may be indicated by a modifying adverb or phrase.

a. intransitive. To make a negative remark or judgement about; to censure, blame; to criticize, disparage. Now rare.Also occasionally without complement.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > criticism > criticize [verb (transitive)]

reprehendc1400

murmur1424

discommenda1500

belack1531

to find fault (with, at)c1540

scan?c1550

fault1563

pinch1567

to lift or move a lip1579

raign1581

reflect1605

criminate1645

criticize1652

nick1668

critic1697

chop1712

stricture1851

to get on to ——1895

chip1898

rap1899

nitpick1956

1605 B. Jonson Sejanus v. sig. M2^v We reflect not in this on Seianus.

1644 O. Cromwell Speech 9 Dec. in Writings & Speeches (1937) (modernized text) I. 314 I am far from reflecting on any. I know the worth of those Commanders.

1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe iii. 28 But, since my Honour you so far suspect, 'Tis just I should on your designs reflect.

1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters ii. 61 I would not be thought to reflect upon this very eminent physician's practice.

1794 Cases Manumission of Negroes (Supreme Court, New Jersey) 21 Divers Expressions made use of by him reflecting on the Authority of the Court.

1811 Times 21 Jan. 3/2 You have permitted an anonymous paragraph to appear in your columns, reflecting on a noble young lady.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 115 The clergy were strictly charged not to reflect on the Roman Catholic religion in their discourses.

1870 C. Dickens Edwin Drood viii. 48 ‘It does not seem to me very civil in you,’ remarks Neville, at length, ‘to reflect upon a stranger who comes here, not having had your advantages.’

b. intransitive. Of events, actions, etc.: to create a negative impression of, redound to the discredit of, tell against. Now rare.

ΚΠ

1622 J. Reynolds Triumphs Gods Revenge: 2nd Bk. vi. 28 They aduize her to be cautious, and to doe nothing rashly in this her second match, that the misfortune and scandall of her first, may no more reflect on her.

1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. ii. 7 These were but personal heats, which reflected not upon the publick body of the Church.

1691 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. 167 We are generally more impatient of what reflects upon our Intellectuals, than of what reflects upon our Morals.

1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 74 The Prejudice of that whole Transaction reflected solely upon the Arch-Bishop.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 39. ⁋13 Ill Language, and brutal Manners, reflected only on those who were guilty of 'em.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xvii. vi. 131 Mrs. Miller..related every thing concerning that Fact, suppressing only those Circumstances which would have most reflected on her Daughter.

1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth viii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 204 I cannot endure to see our townsman beaten and rifled... It reflects upon the Fair Town.

1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 329 A series of terrible atrocities..which reflects seriously on the state in whose service the worst offenders were.

1904 G. B. McCutcheon Brewster's Millions (1907) iii. 90 Oh, I wish I had never come on this horrible cruise. These frightful extravagances will reflect on us all.

†c. transitive. To assign (blame, fault, etc.) to; to express (criticism) of. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > slander or calumny > slander or calumniate [verb (transitive)]

to say or speak shame of, on, byc950

teleeOE

sayOE

to speak evil (Old English be) ofc1000

belie?c1225

betell?c1225

missayc1225

skandera1300

disclanderc1300

wrenchc1300

bewrayc1330

bite1330

gothele1340

slanderc1340

deprave1362

hinderc1375

backbite1382

blasphemec1386

afamec1390

fame1393

to blow up?a1400

defamea1400

noise1425

to say well (also evil, ill, etc.) of (also by)1445

malignc1450

to speak villainy of1470

infame1483

injury1484

painta1522

malicea1526

denigrate1526

disfamea1533

misreporta1535

sugill?1539

dishonest?c1550

calumniate1554

scandalize1566

ill1577

blaze1579

traduce1581

misspeak1582

blot1583

abuse1592

wronga1596

infamonize1598

vilify1598

injure?a1600

forspeak1601

libel1602

infamize1605

belibel1606

calumnize1606

besquirt1611

colly1615

scandala1616

bedirt1622

soil1641

disfigurea1643

sycophant1642

spatter1645

sugillate1647

bespattera1652

bedung1655

asperse1656

mischieve1656

opprobriatea1657

reflect1661

dehonestate1663

carbonify1792

defamate1810

mouth1810

foul-mouth1822

lynch1836

rot1890

calumny1895

ding1903

bad-talk1938

norate1938

bad-mouth1941

monster1967

1661 A. Campbell Manes Presbyteriani 20 You must by no meanes take any notice of the Kings restauration..unless a thing offer it self, wherein you may have an occasion to reflect an imputation upon him.

1670 R. Baxter Cure Church-div. 382 When you reprove those weak Christians..reflect not any disgrace or contempt upon Religion.

a1680 J. Corbet Acct. Princ. & Pract. Nonconformists (1682) 16 Our equals that differ from us are upon this account no more reproached in us, than we in them, and we can no more be thought to reflect an imputation of evil on them, than they on us.

1809 E. Christian in Blackstone's Comm. II. 160 If it were not presumptuous to reflect a censure upon a doctrine..sanctioned by illustrious names.

†10. intransitive. To have a bearing on, be related to; to concern, affect. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > relate or connect [verb (intransitive)] > refer or relate

returna1393

referc1405

regard1525

tend1571

relate1609

reflect1617

advert1765

the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > be similar [verb (intransitive)] > have a touch, tinge, or suggestion of

soundc1340

smatchc1380

soundc1380

savourc1454

smell1526

taste1559

relish1577

smacka1616

reflect1617

seasona1625

tincture1787

twang1821

1617 S. Collins Epphata to F. T. ii. viii. 192 They onely are to be worshipped, who are so subsisting in that vnitie of Godhead, and trinitie of Persons, as the honour done to one, necessarily reflects vpon them all.

1635 R. Brathwait Raglands Niobe sig. A6^v Yet, as I live, I love to beare a share In such depressive burdens: for these bee, As I am yours, reflecting upon mee.

1657 M. Hawke Killing is Murder & No Murder 46 That it reflected not so much upon his own good, as the welfare of the Commonwealth, that he should be safe.

1662 H. More Coll. Philos. Writings (ed. 2) Pref. Gen. p. xvii Which latter in all likelihood was a glance at the third day's work. But the former part, that affirms the Ground eternal, reflects upon the first.

11. With on or upon.

a. transitive. To project (a quality, attribute, or appearance) on a person or thing, as though by reflection (reflection n. 3); to impart indirectly, by extension or association.Sometimes in explicitly figurative contexts, esp. in early use.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > [verb (transitive)] > reflect (something) on

reflect1622

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > detract from [verb (transitive)] > bring discredit on or bring into disrepute

unworthyc1230

alosea1325

low1340

ensclaundre1389

foulc1390

disparagea1400

deface1529

depress1550

discredit?1550

ignoblec1590

redound1591

reproach1593

blame1596

nullify1603

scandal1606

sinka1616

even1625

explode1629

disrepute1649

disrepute1651

lese1678

rogue1678

reflect1769

disconsider1849

dispraise1879

1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 12 It did refresh and reflect upon the King a most odious resemblance, as if he would be another King Richard.

1675 R. Burthogge Cavsa Dei 45 All the Aggravations Reflected on the faulty Action by this Transcendent Object.

1724 N. Amhurst Oculus Britanniæ 18 His brother's virtues, all divinely bright, Reflect on him a pale inferiour light.

1730 R. Blomer Disc. conc. Conscience 33 The many great and eminent..Vertues of this illustrious Personage, cannot but reflect some Lustre upon the Character of our deceas'd Brother.

1769 W. Robertson Hist. Charles V II. vi. 443 Of all the actions in the Emperor's life, this..reflects the greatest dishonour on his reputation.

1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice III. viii. 147 She was more alive to the disgrace, which the want of new clothes must reflect on her daughter's nuptials, than to any sense of shame at her eloping.

1826 Times 12 July 2/5 So far from thinking that any honour was reflected on him from sitting in the House of Commons, he was of opinion that lustre was refracted through him on that assembly.

1857 W. R. Alger Orat. 4 July 33 It reflects infamy on our Government, that an iron hand of suppressal was not promptly laid on these marauding parties.

1884 Manch. Examiner 7 May 5/4 The contest..reflects more credit upon the intrepidity than upon the wisdom of the belligerents.

1948 Life 6 Sept. 9/2 In attributing such a radical statement falsely to me you have reflected discredit on the U.S. Army as well as on me.

1970 D. Jacobson Rape of Tamar xv. 175 My glory reflects glory upon him; my future and his have never looked brighter.

2006 R. Morledge et al. Building Procurement x. 150 A well-designed building reflects credit on those who commissioned it as well as on the designers who conceived it.

b. intransitive. To throw (indirect) light on a person or thing; to be revealing about; (also with modifying adverb) to reveal in a particular light; to create a (good, bad, etc.) impression of. Cf. sense 6b.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > [verb (transitive)] > reflect on (something)

reflect1856

1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. I. v. 381 His conduct, though creditable to his ingenuity, reflects less pleasantly on his character.

1896 Argosy Mar. 541/2 Any such action would in the end only reflect disadvantageously on himself.

1957 I. Fleming Diamond Smugglers (1960) 125 This mysterious man from London..asking questions and making recommendations which reflected on their efficiency.

1964 K. Amis Let. 27 Aug. (2000) 650 Jane says would you bring some fly squirts, which reflects less on the fly population here (not excessive) than the price of the squirts locally.

1978 U.S. News & World Rep. 4 Sept. 17/3 The President himself drops by the White House press room to announce or call attention to events that reflect favorably on the administration.

1979 Nature 11 Jan. 84/1 If the flight control centre was indeed ‘astounded’, this surely reflects on the rate at which the Soviet team get access to the data from US missions.

1989 Spin Oct. 113/1 When D'Arby sings..his performances reflect more on him than on the songs.

1997 F. Saibil Crohn's Dis. & Ulcerative Colitis vii. 133 Postoperative leak happens occasionally with any type of bowel surgery, and does not reflect badly on the surgeon.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	reflect
释义	reflectn. Brit. /ˈriːflɛkt/, /rᵻˈflɛkt/, U.S. /ˈriˌflɛkt/, /ˌriˈflɛkt/, /rəˈflɛkt/ Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: reflect v. Etymology: < reflect v. Compare earlier reflection n. = reflection n. (esp. in senses 1 and 3). ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > reflection > [noun] > reflected light reflectionc1475 borrowed light1571 reflect1594 resultance1618 resultancy1628 reverberation1860 the mind > mental capacity > thought > product of thinking, thought > [noun] > a thought, thoughts thoughtOE i-thankc1000 thinkingsa1225 pensee1474 considering1483 consideration1489 panse1568 reflect1594 reflection1648 thought-form1850 thought-product1853 thought-entity1868 the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > [noun] > product of, thought, reflection considering1483 consideration1489 reflect1594 reflection1648 the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > idea, notion, or concept > [noun] > occupying the mind thoughta1250 apprehension1579 intellection1579 reflect1594 notion1603 idea1633 reflection1648 presentment1817 earthly1897 the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > slander or calumny > [noun] > a slander or calumny slander1297 calumniation1588 reflect1594 aspersion1596 scandal1604 calumny1616 libel1618 reflection1646 vilification1709 the world > matter > light > reflection > [noun] > reproducing an image > image produced by imagec1350 umberc1407 idol1563 reflection1563 reflex1596 shadow-light1623 species1638 repercussion1646 reflect1829 1594 G. Chapman Σκìα Νυκτòς sig. Diij^v Kinde Cupid spread, Such perfect colours, on their pleasing faces, That their reflects clad fowlest weeds with graces. 1614 G. Markham Pleasvres of Princes ii. 4, in Second Bk. Eng. Husbandman Their colour will be so darke that they will giue no reflect into the water. 1687 W. Winstanley Lives Eng. Poets 91 This tart reflect so wrought upon the Queen, that she gave strict order..for the present payment of the hundred pounds. 1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Reflex, Reflect, in Painting, is understood of those Places in a Picture which are supposed to be illuminated by a Light reflected from some other Body represented in the same Piece. 1756 T. Bardwell Pract. Painting & Perspective 30 After it is well dry, we should finish with Glazing the Whole.., and improve the Reflects and Shadows. 1829 T. Carlyle German Playwrights in Foreign Rev. Misc. (1840) II. 63 Aiming apparently at some Classic model, or at least at some French reflect of such a model. 1880 A. Kingsford in E. Maitland Anna Kingsford I. (1913) 400 It is an imprint only, a shadow, a reflect, an echo. 1905 Westm. Gaz. 22 Sept. 4/2 The red iron-hued bed..throws back amber-coloured reflects through the clear dancing water. 1949 Times 12 May 8/7 The stock in trade has increased by some £69,400, which is a reflect of the increased trading. 1996 B. Siegel World of Autistic Child (1998) ii. xii. 298 Lack of enthusiasm for a new job or any new setting is common in autistic people, and may mostly be a reflect of their dislike of things that are unfamiliar. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † reflectadj. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: reflect v. Etymology: < reflect v., by analogy with Latinate past participial forms in -ct (although the past participle of classical Latin reflectere is in fact reflexus). Obsolete. 1. Chiefly Theology. reflect act: an act characterized by introspection or reflection (reflection n. 7c). Cf. reflex act at reflex adj. 1b. ΚΠ a1628 J. Preston Breast-plate of Faith (1630) ii. 63 The second [act of faith] is the reflect act by which we know that wee haue taken Christ, and haue taken out our pardon. 1645 J. Ussher Body of Divin. (1647) 200 It is the reflect act of faith that justifieth. 1662 A. Mervyn Speech to Duke of Ormond 12 Our spirits on both sides exercised not so much the reflect Act..as the direct Act. 2. = reflected adj. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > reflection > [adjective] > reflected reflexeda1425 repercussive1598 resultant1615 reflective1635 reflect1647 reflex1653 reflected1667 the mind > mental capacity > consciousness > contemplation of self > [adjective] > turned inward reflexed1595 reflexive1615 reflex1625 reflexible?1642 reflect1647 introverted1782 the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > reflection > [adjective] > reflected reflect1647 reflected1667 1647 S. Rutherford Christ Dying i. 109 This I may know to bee in mee, from the reflect light of the Spirit. a1660 H. Hammond Serm. (1664) viii. 120 When looking in the glass, he sees all far more glorious in that reflect beam, then it is in the direct. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online September 2021). reflectv. Brit. /rᵻˈflɛkt/, U.S. /rəˈflɛk(t)/, /riˈflɛk(t)/ Forms: α. late Middle English reflecte (past participle), late Middle English–1500s reflecte, late Middle English– reflect. β. Scottish pre-1700 reflecke, 1800s reflek, 1800s– refleck. Origin: Either (i) a borrowing from French. Or (ii) a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French reflectir, reflecter; Latin reflectere. Etymology: < Middle French reflectir to reflect (light), (reflexive) to be brought back (both c1400), reflecter (of light) to be reflected (1530) or its etymon classical Latin reflectere to bend back, to turn round, to retrace one's steps, turn back, to turn away (the face, gaze), to turn back, reverse, in post-classical Latin also to reflect (of a mirror) (c1240 in a British source) < re- re- prefix + flectere flex v. Compare (with alteration after flechir flecche v.) Old French, Middle French reflechir , French réfléchir to reflect (light) (13th cent.), to push back, to send back (1380), to meditate, reflect deeply (17th cent.; compare Middle French se reflechir sur soi (16th cent.)), to meditate (on) or think deeply (about) (17th cent.), and also ( < reflet reflet n.) refléter to reflect (light) (1762). Compare also Italian riflettere (1319 as reflettere ), Spanish reflectir (15th cent.). Compare deflect v., inflect v.Sense 4 apparently shows a sense development within English, and probably results from the sun and reflective surfaces such as mirrors, etc., being considered alike as immediate sources of light, without regard to whether that light is direct or reflected. 1. a. transitive. To bend or turn (something) back, to give a backward bend or curve to (usually in passive); (Surgery) to fold back (a flap of tissue) to expose underlying structures. Formerly also: †to bend (the legs) (obsolete). ΘΚΠ the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [verb (transitive)] > backwards reflect?a1425 recurvate1598 recurve1598 ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 76^v (MED) Þat diafragma is reflecte, i. bowed agayn, in his contiguacioun wiþ þe spine. c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in MS Wellcome 564 f. 36^v (MED) Þis pannycle..diuidiþ al þe concauite of þe brest fro þe wombe..and his hemme or brymme ys reflectid or bowid wel an ynche vpward. 1578 J. Banister Hist. Man i. f. 12^v The neither iawe is Orbicular..the vtmost endes wherof are ascendently reflected. 1609 W. M. Man in Moone E iij b He fleareth not in your face for nothing, nor reflects his legges without some surmised reason. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 342 The coccyx sometime more reflected to give the easier delivery. View more context for this quotation 1768 T. Pennant Brit. Zool. (new ed.) II. ii. 353 The bill is..not quite strait, but a little reflected upwards. 1845 H. W. Herbert Warwick Woodlands 35 The drake reflects his purple neck to preen his ruffled wing. 1846 F. Brittan tr. J. F. Malgaigne Man. Operative Surg. 195 The horizontal incision being made, convert it into a T by a vertical incision..and reflect the two flaps. 1869 H. Ussher in Eng. Mech. 3 Dec. 271/2 From the under surface of the eyelid a thin membrane is reflected on the ball. 1916 Lancet 13 May 988/2 This latter bone is exposed right up to its junction with its fellow by reflecting the flap of skin, soft parts, and periosteum on the nasal side of the field of operation. 1930 H. G. Newth Marshall & Hurst's Junior Course Pract. Zool. (ed. 11) xiv. 343 The mesentery is a double layer of peritoneum, reflected from the dorsal wall of the abdomen. 1979 L. Shainberg Brain Surgeon (1980) vii. 173 Utilizing periosteal elevators, a full-thickness scalp flap was reflected including pericranium. 2007 Neurosci. Lett. 414 229/1 The periosteum was reflected to expose the right frontal skull. †b. transitive. figurative. To turn or force inwards or backwards. Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ 1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 139 A deadly antipathy reflecting themselues vppon themselues. 1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis 60 Whence the spirits streined and reflected, rise again. c. intransitive. To bend or curve back or backwards. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [verb (intransitive)] > backwards recurve1610 reflect1732 recurvate1788 1732 Philos. Trans. 1731–2 (Royal Soc.) 37 282 About the middle of the Abdomen it sent out two smaller portions, the one was inserted into the mesentery, the other reflecting back, was inserted into the Colon. 1756 P. Browne Civil & Nat. Hist. Jamaica ii. ii. 352 The leaves..stand in the same manner, reflecting a little backwards from the direction of the foot-stalks. 1797 Encycl. Brit. VIII. 465/2 A Chain affixed thereto, reflecting over the back. 1849 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 139 139 The hypoglossus arises from the inferior border of the body of hyoid bone and ascends to its superior border, the fibres diverging; afterwards it reflects backwards in the throat, the fibres forming a fan-like expansion. 1927 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 13 374 When the medullar hyperplasia is very large..it reflects back on the medullar cells and fibers caudally to the connection. 2004 Lancet 28 Feb. 717/2 The inner serosal layer of pericardium adheres to the myocardium, forming the visceral pericardium or epicardium, before reflecting back on itself to become contiguous with the outer fibroserous layer of parietal pericardium. †2. a. transitive. To direct into or away from a course, to divert; to turn aside, deflect. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement of [verb (transitive)] > cause to deviate from course charec1000 wrencha1200 turnc1275 to turn againc1330 swerve1390 wrya1400 reflectc1425 traverse1438 to turn aside1535 deduce1541 divert1548 to turn off1573 wrig1582 react1599 deflect1615 slent1639 decline1646 deviate1660 to wind off1677 sway1678 warp1814 switch1861 baffle1883 c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. 746 (MED) By archis strong his cours for to reflecte Þoruȝ condut pipis. 1614 S. Purchas Pilgrimage (ed. 2) i. ii. 13 Dazled with this greater light [sc. the sun] I would reflect mine eyes to that reflexion of this light in the sober, siluer countenance of the..Moone. 1654 J. Reynolds Flower of Fidelity (new ed.) 7 They beheld..pillars of bright shining Alabaster; from which by chance reflecting their eyes, they forthwith saw a sweet amiable Lady. 1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 61 I conceive that, when easterly and westerly winds meet with unequal force, one of them may be reflected northward. 1815 in E. Polehampton Gallery Nature & Art III. 328 The current..crosses to America, and is there divided and reflected southwards towards the Brazils, and northwards into the Gulf stream. 1860 W. Cathrall Guide through N. Wales ii. 40 On reaching the summit of this branch of the Hiraethogs the dividing line is reflected westward along the mountain. b. transitive. figurative and in figurative contexts. Cf. deflect v. 3. Obsolete.In quot. ?1611: to turn aside from anger, appease; cf. reflection n. 2b. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > turn aside from > cause to writhea1400 wrya1400 reflecta1500 reverta1500 withstand1508 reversec1540 declinea1555 evert1569 deflecta1575 divert1609 bias1628 blank1640 avert1697 shunt1858 sidetrack1887 ride1908 a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 139 (MED) Nature reflectiþ [L. reflectit] all þynge to himself, & for himself he striueþ & arguiþ. 1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance xi. f. 21 Noo kynde of affection..mought reflecte hym from the sharpe execution of his lawes. 1598 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 3 Last Bks. vi. 89 Shall the controller of proud Nemesis In lawlesse rage vpbrayd ech others vice, While no man seeketh to reflect the wrong And crub the rauge of his mis-ruly tongue? ?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads ix. 180 Such rites beseeme Ambassadors: and Nestor vrged these, That their most honours might reflect enrag'd Æacides. 1827 T. Hood Plea Midsummer Fairies liv, in Plea Midsummer Fairies & Other Poems 28 It raised my bile To see him so reflect their grief aside. c. intransitive. To deviate; to go to or come away from a place. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > move in a certain direction [verb (intransitive)] goeOE wendOE makeOE aim?a1400 to make one's waya1425 reflect1547 work1566 to make up1596 path1597 sway1600 tend1648 vergea1661 steer1693 1547 A. Borde Breuiary of Helthe i. f. lxxxxv^v This impediment doth come of the corrupcion of humours reflectyng more to a perticuler place than to vnyuersall places. 1593 B. Barnes Parthenophil & Parthenophe 72 Then from her Sphœre, did Venus downe reflect, Least Mars by chance her bewtie should affect. 3. a. intransitive. Of light, a ray, etc.: to undergo reflection; to turn back after striking a surface. Also figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (intransitive)] rebounda1398 glentc1400 reflect?a1439 reflamec1450 reverberate1598 the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > reflection > reflect [verb (intransitive)] reflect?a1439 a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. 5660 (MED) Yit it was nat but a likenesse And but a shadwe reflectyng off his face. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 682/2 I can nat abyde here, the sonne beames reflecte so sore. 1624 F. Quarles Sions Sonets v. 1 From Thee Reflect those rayes, that haue enlightned mee. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 260 Sore Eyes are..caused by the burning heat of the Sun, which reflects from the Ground upon the Eyes. 1703 Moxon's Mech. Dyalling (ed. 4) in Moxon's Mech. Exercises (new ed.) 346 When the Sun Shines upon the Glass at Nodus, its Beames shall reflect upon the Hour of the Day. 1827 R. Emmons Fredoniad 68 A light, reflecting on the coffin clouds; Pure like the splendour of a star at night. 1867 Voice of Masonry June 235/2 The Great Pool of Gahon was directly before him, the rays of the declining sun reflecting from its now dry and dusty basin. 1924 Times 27 Aug. 7/2 The light reflects through another opening on to the edge of the film. 1960 J. Barth Sot-weed Factor ii. xiii. 253 Over the pirates' foremast hung the gibbous moon, its light reflecting whitely from the fluttering gaff-topsails. 2008 Sci. Amer. (U.K. ed.) Dec. 15/2 Whenever any wave encounters any abrupt change of conditions..some of it will reflect back. b. intransitive. Of things other than light: to return, rebound; to bounce back, esp. after contact with a hard surface. Also figurative. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > turn back or retrace one's steps charec1000 i-cherrec1000 again-wendOE again-turna1375 to turn backc1425 reflect1608 redambulate1623 to tread back one's steps1777 back track1802 to try back1816 back-track1904 back-trail1907 1608 Bp. T. Morton Preamble Incounter 1 To throw dust against the wind, which will reflect and returne with greater violence upon his own face. 1693 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. vii. 25 Inanimate unactive Matter moves always in a streight Line, nor ever reflects in an Angle, nor bends in a Circle.., unless [etc.]. 1708 J. Keill Acct. Animal Secretion 31 They must necessarily hit one against another, and being elastic, reflect from one another. 1996 R. E. Wyatt & C. Iung in R. E. Wyatt & J. Z. H. Zhang Dynamics of Molecules & Chem. Reactions ii. 80 It is evident that the chain must be made long enough so that reflections from the end ball do not have time to reflect back toward the left and spoil the amplitude of the first ball. 2005 A. P. Moravsky et al. in M. Meyyappan Carbon Nanotubes iii. 90 Thus depleted of material, the backward-moving portion of the plume reflects from the surface and begins to move out to join the main body of the plume. †c. intransitive. To reflect light or colour. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1611 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) i. iii. 54 There's not a House, but seemeth to be new; Th'even-slated Roofs reflect with glistring blew [Fr. L'ardoise luit par tout]. 1730 A. Gordon tr. F. S. Maffei Compl. Hist. Anc. Amphitheatres 351 The red..and yellow Coverings of the Theatre reflected back on the Assembly of Spectators,..undulating the whole with their Colours. 1869 J. Tyndall in Fortn. Rev. 1 Feb. 244 It [sc. a cloud] is absolutely incompetent to reflect upwards or downwards. 4. †a. transitive. To shine (light, a beam, a ray), esp. on or upon a person or thing. Frequently in figurative contexts. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > emit beams (of a luminary) [verb (transitive)] reflecta1456 streekc1480 shoot1596 stream1880 a1456 ( J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 695 (MED) Phebus with his feruent heet Reflecteþe his light vpon þe swyfft streeme Of Ewfratees. 1601 W. Cornwallis Disc. Seneca sig. F5 It is not true that the rayes of this light are onely reflected vpon our soules. 1615 R. A. Valiant Welshman v. v. sig. I 3^v Now famous Rome, that lately lay obscurde In the darke cloudes of Bryttish infamy, Appeares victorious in her conquering Robes, And like the Sunne, that in the midst of heauen Reflects more glory on the teeming earth: So fares it with triumphant Rome this day. 1689 W. Bates Sure Trial Uprightness 46 They hated him, because the Father's Love to them was faint in comparison to the warm Beams reflected upon Joseph. 1792 T. Odiorne Progr. Refinment i. 28 The bright sun, reflecting o'er the world His rays, relumes creation. 1852 C. Hammond Light from Spirit World x. 209 The sun reflects rays of light. It is the orb of light. It gives light to the rich and the poor. †b. intransitive. Of light, a beam, etc.: to shine on or upon a person or thing; (also of a light source) to illuminate something with rays or beams. Frequently figurative and in figurative contexts. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > shine [verb (intransitive)] > shine upon or give light beshinea1300 reflect1594 strike1662 lighten1814 1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus i. i. 226 Lord Saturnine: whose vertues will I hope, Reflect on Rome as Tytus Raies on earth. 1600 T. Nashe Summers Last Will sig. D3 The same he wrote with blood vpon a glasse, And turnd it opposite gainst the new moone; Whose beames reflecting on it with full force, Shewd all those lynes, to them that stood behinde. 1619 A. Gorges tr. F. Bacon Wisedome Ancients xiv. 71 Whose statue also (the Sunne reflecting on it with his morning beames) did vsually (as is reported) send forth a mournfull sound. 1662 R. Burney Κέρδιστον Δῶρον 4 Their Prerogative which is..a beam resultant from Gods Majestie, and reflects upon the people for their good. 1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub viii. 155 Whether Reason reflecting upon the Sum of Things, can like the Sun, serve only to enlighten one half of the Globe. c. transitive. figurative. Of a fact, explanation, etc.: to shed (light) on or upon a subject, question, or issue (sometimes indirectly). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > expound, explain [verb (transitive)] arecchec885 unloukOE overrunOE sutelec1000 trahtnec1000 unfolda1050 belayc1175 openc1175 onopena1200 accountc1300 undo?a1366 remenea1382 interpret1382 unwrap1387 exploitc1390 enlumine1393 declarec1400 expoundc1400 unplait?c1400 enperc1420 planea1425 clearc1440 exponec1440 to lay outc1440 to give (also carry) lightc1449 unwind1482 expose1483 reducea1500 manifest1530 explicate1531 explaina1535 unlock?1536 dilucidate1538 elucidate1538 illustrate1538 rechec1540 explicate1543 illucidate1545 enucleate1548 unsnarl1555 commonstrate1563 to lay forth1577 straighten1577 unbroid1577 untwist1577 decipherc1586 illuminate1586 enlighten1587 resolvec1592 cipher1594 eliquidate1596 to take (a person) with one1599 rivelc1600 ravel1604 unbowel1606 unmist1611 extricate1614 unbolta1616 untanglea1616 enode1623 unperplexa1631 perspicuate1634 explata1637 unravel1637 esclarea1639 clarify1642 unweave1642 detenebrate1646 dismystery1652 undecipher1654 unfork1654 unparadox1654 reflect1655 enodate1656 unmysterya1661 liquidatea1670 recognize1676 to clear upa1691 to throw sidelight on1726 to throw (also cast, shed) light on (also upon)1731 eclaircise1754 irradiate1864 unbraid1880 predigest1905 to get (something) straight1920 disambiguate1960 demystify1963 1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. v. 243 Many passages..which may reflect much light upon our Church-History. 1684 T. Burnet Theory of Earth i. v. 65 It receives such a clear and easie explication from that Origin and Fabrick we have given to the first Earth, and also reflects light upon the Theory itself. 1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xvii. 67 An attempt to explain them may perhaps reflect some light on the interesting subject of the finances of the declining empire. 1832 J. Chadwick New Light on Christian Baptism i. ii. 13 As an example of adult baptism merely, it reflects light upon the present question. 1863 C. Wordsworth Jrnl. Tour Italy I. iii. 86 I offer no comment on these circumstances, but recount them simply as reflecting some light on the present condition of the Church in this city. 1960 Social Forces 38 204/1 The local election..does reflect some light upon what is likely to be one of the most pressing concerns of students of metropolitan growth. 1992 J. Haldane Faithful Reason (2004) v. xx. 267 What I have to say here may reflect some light upon the source of this difference. 5. a. transitive. Of an object or surface, esp. one that is bright or polished: to stop the passage of and send back (a sunbeam, ray of light); frequently in passive with from. Also in figurative contexts. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (transitive)] rebounda1450 reflexc1536 reflect1555 return1557 repercuss1604 retort1609 refract1621 reverberate1638 to throw back1698 flash1716 to give back1831 glint1844 the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > reflection > reflect [verb (transitive)] reflect1555 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 121^v The valley therfore receaueth, both those beames whiche faule directly theron, and also those whiche are reflected downwarde from euery syde of the montaynes [L. & praecipitem cliuorum ac montium ex transuerso]. 1573 P. Moore Almanack D vj b Whether the sayd beames [sc. the sun's] be extended unto the Earth, or reflected backwardes again, do forshew tempest of windes comming. c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cxxi. 14, in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 214 No sunne shall hurt thee With beames to violently right reflected. 1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida v. sig. I Marry but shine, and ile reflect your beames. 1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 43 The Crystal Sands..refracting and reflecting the Suns rays, seem here and there of Rainbow-colours. 1693 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. viii. 5 The Light of the Moon reflected from frozen Snow. 1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics Introd. 2 When light falls upon any body whatever, part of it is reflected or driven back. 1839 C. Darwin in R. Fitzroy & C. Darwin Narr. Surv. Voy. H.M.S. Adventure & Beagle III. xiii. 306 Owing to the abundance of light reflected from the white and glittering surface, no shadows are cast on any part. 1871 T. G. Hake Madeline 67 Like the moon in space With inspiration burns, Reflecting light whichever way it turns. 1946 W. Ivins Art & Geom. vii. 99 The rays of the sun when reflected from a parabolic or burning mirror converged at a point which was known as the burning point. 2001 R. Sabbag in H. Marks Bk. Dope Stories v. 410 A late model four-by-four, its high-gloss paint reflecting the sunshine, parked on the hardscrabble outside. b. transitive. Esp. of a hard surface: to throw or cast back (a thing); to cause to return or rebound. Also figurative. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > rebound > cause to rebound [verb (transitive)] reboundc1560 brick wall1596 rejerk1606 bricole1611 reflect1613 to beat back1715 bounce1876 tamp1971 1613 G. Wither Abuses Stript i. iv. sig. E2 The shafts are aim'd at me, but Ile reiect them, And on the shooters too, perhaps reflect them. 1656 tr. T. Hobbes Elements Philos. iii. xix. 204 A Body, falling upon the superficies of another Body and being reflected from it. 1656 tr. T. Hobbes Elements Philos. iii. xix. 204 If two straight lines drawn from the same point, fall upon another straight line, the lines reflected from them, if they be drawn out the other way, will meet in an angle equal to the angle of the Incident lines. 1722 W. Wollaston Relig. of Nature vi. 132 It is that violence, of which he is the author, reflected back upon himself. 1799 J. Wood Princ. Mech. (ed. 2) vi. §206. 121 Each body will therefore be reflected with a velocity equal to that which it had before impact. 1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. 762/2 (caption) When the ball H is reflected by a fixed obstacle, as by the cushion of a billiard table. 1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §799 What is called a spark plate (a broad plate of cast iron, to reflect back the sparks). 2002 T. Budd Understanding Object-oriented Programming with Java (rev. ed.) vii. 111 A ball intersects a wall if their regions overlap, and if so the ball is simply reflected back, in effect bouncing off the wall. c. transitive. Of an object or surface: to send back (heat, sound, or any kind of radiation or wave) that is incident on it, in the way that light is reflected by a mirror. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > emit [verb (transitive)] > reflect reflect1672 the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > radio wave > cast back [verb (transitive)] reflect1672 the world > matter > physics > mechanics > types of motion > [verb (transitive)] > actions of or upon waves refract1563 reflect1672 the world > matter > physics > energy or power of doing work > supply with energy [verb (transitive)] > emit energy > reflect reflect1672 the world > matter > physics > science of sound > sound-waves > emit, transmit [verb (transitive)] > reflect reflect1672 the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > alpha radiation > reflect [verb (transitive)] reflect1672 the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > heat > transmission of heat > conduct, convect [verb (transitive)] > reflect reflect1774 1672 I. Newton Let. 11 June in Corr. (1959) I. 175 It depends on the thicknesse of a thin transparent Plate or Bubble, whether a vibration shall be reflected at its further superficies or transmitted. 1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity ii, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 455 The vocal triumphs bound Against the hills: the hills reflect the sound. 1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 351 The land..receives a greater quantity of heat, and reflects it more strongly. 1822 T. Webster Imison's Elem. Sci. & Art (new ed.) I. 230 Buildings constructed of certain shapes..have this property of reflecting sounds in a remarkable manner. 1909 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 82 495 The fraction of the incident α-particles which are reflected. 1954 F. L. Wright Natural House ii. 159 A white-top is economical partly because white, of course, reflects heat rather than absorbs it. 1984 A. C. Duxbury & A. Duxbury Introd. World's Oceans viii. 261 A straight, smooth, vertical barrier in water..will reflect the waves. d. transitive. Physiology. To transmit (a nerve impulse), esp. along a motor nerve, in response to a stimulus or impulse from a sensory nerve. Usually in passive. Now chiefly historical. ΘΚΠ the world > life > biology > biological processes > action of nervous system > [verb (transitive)] > reception or transmission of impulses reflect1833 summate1880 facilitate1894 recruit1925 1833 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 123 638 An impression made upon the extremities of certain nerves is conveyed to the medulla oblongata or the medulla spinalis, and is reflected along other nerves to parts adjacent to, or remote from, that which has received the impression. 1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect Introd. ii. 50 When an action takes place on this inner surface,..there is reflected a stimulus to the muscle that closes the [eye-]lids. 1906 H. W. Syers tr. J. P. Morat Physiol. Nerv. Syst. ii. 218 The impulse is reflected from the posterior roots to the tracts of the spinal cord, in conscious impressions. 2003 Jrnl. Clin. Neurosci. 10 15/2 Reflex action occurred when incoming afferent activity which reached the striatum was ‘reflected’ back along the descending motor pathways. 6. a. transitive. Of a reflective surface: to return or cast back an image of (a person or thing); (also) to display (an image of a person or thing); to mirror.In early use chiefly in figurative contexts. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (transitive)] > an image reflect1582 reflex1590 render1598 glassa1628 redouble1728 image1792 mirror1820 1582 S. Batman Vppon Bartholome, De Proprietatibus Rerum xi. f. 167^v/1 The aire is thickned into thinne clowdes, in the which as in a glasse the Images being farre distant, of Castles, of mountaines, of horses and men, and of other things, are reflected. 1619 P. Hannay Happy Husband sig. C2^v Thou must be a mirror, to reflect Thy Husbands mind. 1673 in J. Ogilby tr. J. Nieuhof Embassy E.-India Company (ed. 2) App. 397 The inward Wall is vested with particolour'd Marble, which is so polish'd, that like a bright Mirror it reflecteth the Face of the Beholder. 1713 J. Addison Cato i. vi The floating mirrour shines, Reflects each flow'r that on the border grows. 1790 W. Cowper On Receipt Mother's Picture 93 The floods that show Her beauteous form reflected clear below. 1816 P. B. Shelley Alastor 35 The rivulet...Reflecting every herb and drooping bud That overhung its quietness. 1836 W. S. Landor Pericles & Aspasia I. 171 A shallow water may reflect the sun as perfectly as a deeper. 1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic 1 It is like a mirror reflecting the objects that are held up before it. 1908 E. M. Forster Room with View xii. 198 There lay the pond, set in its little alp of green—only a pond, but large enough to contain the human body, and pure enough to reflect the sky. 1989 N. Sherry Life Graham Greene I. xvii A mirror stretched across one wall, reflecting my face as I stared into it. 2003 St. Petersburg (Florida) Times (Nexis) 16 Apr. 5 Greg Arbutine's image is reflected in an antique English mirrored plateau, worth almost $7,000. b. transitive. figurative. To display as if in a mirror; to reproduce, esp. faithfully or accurately; to depict. Also more generally: to reveal (an underlying reality or cause); to make manifest, express. ΘΚΠ society > communication > representation > [verb (transitive)] > as in a mirror mirrorize1598 reflect1601 mirror1827 1601 W. I. Whipping of Satyre sig. E3 Ransacke your conscience, you shall find it so; For to our eye it still reflects our ill; Man may be brib'd, his conscience neuer will. 1624 B. Jonson Neptunes Triumph 113 All the glories of his great designes Are read, reflected, in his sonnes returne! a1771 T. Gray tr. Dante in Wks. (1884) I. 159 I beheld My Sons, and in four Faces saw my own Despair reflected. 1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 92 If all we find possessing earth, sea, air, Reflect his attributes who placed them there. View more context for this quotation 1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound ii. iv. 85 And mothers, gazing, drank the love men see Reflected in their race. 1858 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) III. xvii. 498 The law..reflects the plain sentiments of the better order of average men. 1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §1. 455 This balanced attitude of the Crown reflected faithfully enough the balanced attitude of the nation. 1931 H. Read Meaning of Art ii. 128 Scarcely any other painter of the last century so faithfully reflects the life and spirit of his period. 1988 L. Ellmann Sweet Desserts 24 Did all the ads for fat women reflect a hitherto imperceptible erotic trend? 1995 Farmers Weekly 31 Mar. 33/1 Store prices are slightly down on last year, reflecting a fat cattle trade down by 4p or 5p/kg. c. intransitive. To appear reproduced or imaged; to be mirrored. Now rare and literary. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (intransitive)] > be reflected (as an image) again-shinea1382 reluce?a1425 reflect1608 mirror1832 1608 B. Jonson Characters Two Royall Masques ii. sig. D^v Sixteene Masquers were plac'd by couples: behind them, in the center of the Throne was a tralucent Pillar, shining with seuerall colour'd lights, that reflected on their backs. 1667 G. Berkeley Hist. Applic. (new ed.) x. 30 The Dog (in the Fable) having meat in his mouth by the water side, and perceiving the shadow of it reflect..opened his mouth greedily in hopes to get it. 1820 J. Keats Lamia i, in Lamia & Other Poems 25 A silver lamp, whose phosphor glow Reflected in the slabbed steps below. 1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 208 Brooks curl o'er their sandy bed; On whose tide the clouds reflect. 1907 D. S. Shorter Coll. Poems 281 I set a tree..and bent it so That each young branch, outspreading in the sun, Reflects in shadow on the sod below. 1992 I. Banks Crow Road ix. 220 The day was fabulous; clear and cold, the sky crystal blue and reflecting in the..glinting length of Loch Add. d. transitive. To cause (light or lights, other than an image) to be seen as a result of reflection. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (transitive)] > give out light as a result of reflection reflect1719 1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 211 The Walls reflected 100 thousand Lights to me from my two Candles. 1727 J. Thomson Summer 14 The briny Deep..Reflects from every fluctuating Wave, A Glance. 1992 E. Goudge Such Devoted Sisters i. 28 Annie could see the pool gleaming darkly, its glassy surface twinkling with sparks of orange light reflected by the electric tiki torches. 7. a. intransitive. To engage in reflection (reflection n. 7); to consider, meditate. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > consciousness > contemplation of self > reflect on oneself [verb] bethinkc1000 rememberc1405 to descend into (also within) oneself1539 finger1546 reflect1595 recollect1640 introvert1671 Hamletize1844 introspect1884 the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > meditate, reflect [verb (intransitive)] howOE study?c1225 bethinkc1300 muse1340 recorda1400 imaginec1400 to take thoughtc1450 contemplaire1474 medite1483 remord1535 contemplate?1538 ruminate1547 meditate1560 scance1606 excogitate1630 cogitate1633 reflect1772 1595 Problemes of Aristotle sig. G5 To reflect and looke vnto himselfe, is a token that we are separated from the flesh. 1644 T. Hill Season for Englands Selfe-reflection 17 The children of God..ought presently to reflect by self-consideration, when they see their Fathers displeasure once begin to appeare. 1697 W. Congreve Mourning Bride ii. 99 I haue not leisure to reflect, or know, Or trifle time in thinking. 1704 J. Norris Ess. Ideal World II. iii. 121 There is but here and there a man that reflects..and carefully observes what's doing in his own mind. 1715 D. Defoe Family Instructor I. i. i. 8 Reflect and argue, and know both your self, and Him that made you. 1772 J. Priestley Inst. Relig. I. 133 It is necessary..that we think and reflect before we act. 1825 S. T. Coleridge Aids Refl. 3 The noblest object of reflection is the mind itself, by which we reflect. 1832 T. P. Thompson Exercises (1842) II. 327 Now just reflect,—meditate for as long time as would soft-boil an egg. 1836 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. (1837) III. xii. 188 I am speaking of those of us who have learned to reflect,..not of the incurious or illiterate. 1841 G. P. R. James Brigand xxv I wish you to pause, reflect, and judge before you decide. 1903 H. Keller Story of my Life i. xx. 68 I used to have time to think, to reflect, my mind and I. 1992 N.Y. Times Bk. Rev. 11 Oct. 32/3 Under the pressure of brutalizing work in the home or out of it, she may have indeed stopped thinking... It may be necessary to disappear for a while..in order to begin to reflect. b. transitive. With clause as object: to think about, consider. ΚΠ 1623 J. Abbot Iesus Præfigured ii. sig. O4 Her Nuns must oft retire vnto their Cell, And there reflect, how idly or how well They haue spent precious time. 1670 T. White Notes on Mr. F. D.'s Result of Dialogue 57 I pray therefore reflect that when Philosophers agree, Identity of Time is necessary to contradiction, it is not out of the nature of Time it self. a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 14 I have sometimes reflected for what reason the Turks should [etc.]. 1772 W. Jones Ess. Poetry Eastern Nations in Poems 188 They do not reflect that every nation has a set of images, and expressions, peculiar to itself. 1842 F. Marryat Percival Keene II. i. 13 As I watched for daylight, I began to reflect how this could have happened; and it occurred to me that the pirates had scuttled the bottom of the vessel to sink her; and in this conjecture I was right. a1854 H. Reed Lect. Eng. Hist. (1856) i. 11 Reflect how often our sense of truth is impaired or impeded. 1894 H. Caine Manxman v. xxi. 419 He reflected that he had no right to do this. 1919 V. Woolf Night & Day xxxiii. 506 Even if she started the very moment that she got it [sc. a letter], he reflected, she would not be home till Tuesday night. 1958 I. Murdoch Bell vii. 116 He reflected with surprise that it was many years since he had had so sharp a consciousness of his external appearance. 1984 A. Lee Sarah Phillips 109 I reflected that she was the first of many who would try to make my father's death into something all their own. 2006 Managem. Today Jan. 84/2 He'll just sit and listen to her complaining and navel-gazing, reflecting that sometimes executive coaching is like being a social worker. c. transitive. With direct speech as object: to say or utter thoughtfully or meditatively (usually to oneself). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > consider, deliberate [verb (transitive)] i-thenchec897 showeOE i-mune971 thinkOE overthinkOE takec1175 umbethinkc1175 waltc1200 bethinkc1220 wend?c1225 weighc1380 delivera1382 peisea1382 considerc1385 musec1390 to look over ——a1393 advise?c1400 debatec1400 roll?c1400 revert?a1425 advertc1425 deliberc1425 movec1425 musec1425 revolvec1425 contemplec1429 overseec1440 to think overc1440 perpend1447 roil1447 pondera1450 to eat inc1450 involvec1470 ponderate?a1475 reputec1475 counterpoise1477 poisea1483 traversec1487 umbecast1487 digest1488 undercast1489 overhalec1500 rumble1519 volve?1520 compassa1522 recount1526 trutinate1528 cast1530 expend1531 ruminate1533 concoct1534 contemplate1538 deliberate1540 revolute1553 chawa1558 to turn over1568 cud1569 cogitate1570 huik1570 chew1579 meditatec1580 discourse1581 speculate1599 theorize1599 scance1603 verse1614 pensitate1623 agitate1629 spell1633 view1637 study1659 designa1676 introspect1683 troll1685 balance1692 to figure on or upon1837 reflect1862 mull1873 to mull over1874 scour1882 mill1905 1862 Mrs. H. Wood Channings II. vii. 102 ‘No, no; it would not be right of him to make me his wife now,’ she reflected. 1881 C. E. L. Riddell Senior Partner II. xi. 223 ‘She has the Pousnett kind of talk,’ he reflected, ‘and the same uppish way with her.’ 1890 M. Sidney Five Little Peppers Midway xxii. 450 ‘I've skinned through and saved my neck a thousand times,’ he reflected, ‘and now I've got to dig like sixty to make up.’ 1906 E. Phillpotts Portreeve i. vi. 50 ‘Let what will come, there's amusement in it,’ she reflected. ‘'Tis hunting of a sort. Fox-hunting—man-hunting—what more has life for me?’ 1999 C. Brookmyre One Fine Day in Middle of Night (2000) 6 ‘Well, it's a fish-in-a-barrel affair, I suppose,’ he reflected. ‘As long as they know one end of a gun from the other, there's not really a lot can go wrong.’ 8. With on or upon. a. intransitive. To fix the thoughts or attention (back) on something, esp. a past event or experience; to think deeply or carefully about; to ponder, mull over, contemplate. Also occasionally with †of, over. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > think about, consider [verb (intransitive)] thinkOE thinkOE bethinka1200 umthinka1300 to have mind ofc1300 casta1340 studya1375 delivera1382 to chew the cudc1384 to take advisementa1393 stema1400 compassc1400 advisec1405 deliberc1405 to make it wisec1405 to take deliberationc1405 enter?a1413 riddlec1426 hovec1440 devise?c1450 to study by (also in) oneself?c1450 considerc1460 porec1500 regard1523 deliberate1543 to put on one's thinking or considering cap1546 contemplate1560 consult1565 perpend1568 vise1568 to consider of1569 weigh1573 ruminate1574 dascanc1579 to lay to (one's) heart1588 pondera1593 debate1594 reflect1596 comment1597 perponder1599 revolvea1600 rumine1605 consider on, upon1606 to think twice1623 reflex1631 spell1645 ponderatea1652 to turn about1725 to cast a thought, a reflection upon1736 to wake over1771 incubatea1847 mull1857 fink1888 1596 A. Copley Fig for Fortune 9 One while conceipting Catoes death-auailes, And then anon reflecting on his stinke, Thus strayd I most in dread & deaths instinct. 1600 R. Chambers Palestina 153 This sequell perchance made the Egyptians to reflect the more vpon their Idols fall. 1607 B. Jonson Volpone ii. ii. sig. E2^v Would I reflect on the price? why, the whole World were but..as a priuate Purse, to the purchase of it. View more context for this quotation 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 134 Having reflected a little on the Danger which we had escaped, we viewed the second Pyramide. 1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. i. 13 We are plainly constituted such sort of Creatures as to reflect upon our own Nature. 1751 tr. Female Foundling II. 10 I would for ever blot out of my Memory, and reflect of nothing for the future but my Obligations to you. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxii. 155 I paused here for a moment, and reflected on the work before me. 1879 J. Lubbock Addresses, Polit. & Educ. viii. 147 It is a melancholy subject to reflect on. 1906 W. S. Maugham Bishop's Apron ix. 137 Winnie reflected over this for a moment. 1990 P. Ustinov Old Man & Mr Smith xiv. 179 We will now break for an early lunch, in which we have time to reflect on this morning's events. †b. transitive. To direct towards or cast (one's eyes, thoughts, or attention) (back) over a thing. Also occasionally intransitive. Obsolete.Common in 17th cent. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > thought > think or have in mind [verb (transitive)] holdOE thinkOE makea1400 carry1583 entertain1583 lodge1583 conceit?1589 reflect1611 braina1616 the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > glance or look quickly glent1303 gliffc1330 gleam1340 blenka1375 keekc1405 glidec1425 gliffen1489 runa1500 glish1570 glance1582 to glance one's eye, look1590 blink1592 squint1610 reflect1611 teet1710 glisk1720 glint1888 the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold to look to ——eOE showeOE lookeOE lookOE behold971 beseec1000 seeOE to see on ——OE yseeOE yseeOE belookc1175 to look against ——c1225 to lay eyes onc1230 biwaita1250 holde1303 aseea1325 to see upon ——a1350 rewardc1350 to look of ——?c1400 eyea1425 visage1450 aviewa1513 gove1513 regard1523 to look unto ——1545 respect1567 survise1600 aspect1610 reflect1611 inspeculate1694 spectate1709 to look for ——1786 deek1825 lookit1908 lamp1916 1611 R. Brathwait Golden Fleece (Argument) sig. B If thou wilt haue this Golden Fleece, this prize, With due attention here reflect thine eyes. a1612 J. Harington Brief View Church of Eng. in Nugæ Antiquæ (1804) II. 166 When I reflect my thought and eye upon that I have formerly written. a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Captaine iv. iv, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ii^v/2 Let thine eyes Reflect upon thy soule, and there behold How loathed blacke it is. 1650 S. Sheppard Amandus & Sophronia v. 32 He perceived the King beheld him, but with halfe a face, seeming more to reflect upon his Officers..then himselfe. 1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 195 Let me minde the Reader to reflect his eye on our Quotations. a1677 I. Barrow Serm. Several Occasions (1678) 513 If we reflect our thoughts on the first Ages of Christianity. 1702 T. Wise Serm. (ed. 2) 17 Let us lastly, in View of this Instance of Mortality, reflect an Eye back upon our selves. 1842 S. O'Grady Emigrant 54 Ah! fair Maria, grace thy loved lorn hills, Reflect thine eyes upon these neighbouring rills, And let each fountain bear thine image true. †c. intransitive. With (up)on. To show regard or consideration for a person or thing; to value, appreciate. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (transitive)] > attach importance to weigh?c1225 chargec1320 set by1393 to attribute (much)1586 to stand upon ——1587 moment1598 to lay weight upon1600 reflecta1616 to take (large etc.) stock in (rarely of)1870 a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. vi. 23 He is one of the Noblest note... Reflect vpon him accordingly, as you value your trust. View more context for this quotation 1641 J. Johnson Acad. Love 6 How couldest thou forget thy Danoe? why didst not thou reflect upon her, whose mute consent opened her willingnesse to thy wishes? a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Surrey 84 He became a favorite to the duke of Florence, who highly reflected on his abilities. 1723 E. Ward Nuptial Dialogues & Deb. (ed. 2) I. 143 If a young Wife should want an Heir, And pine at the Dishonour, Her Husband ought to have a Care How he reflects upon her. 9. With on or upon. To cast a reflection (reflection n. 9) on; to show in a bad light. Now rare.This use is now generally superseded by the sense 11, in which negative or positive intent may be indicated by a modifying adverb or phrase. a. intransitive. To make a negative remark or judgement about; to censure, blame; to criticize, disparage. Now rare.Also occasionally without complement. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > criticism > criticize [verb (transitive)] reprehendc1400 murmur1424 discommenda1500 belack1531 to find fault (with, at)c1540 scan?c1550 fault1563 pinch1567 to lift or move a lip1579 raign1581 reflect1605 criminate1645 criticize1652 nick1668 critic1697 chop1712 stricture1851 to get on to ——1895 chip1898 rap1899 nitpick1956 1605 B. Jonson Sejanus v. sig. M2^v We reflect not in this on Seianus. View more context for this quotation 1644 O. Cromwell Speech 9 Dec. in Writings & Speeches (1937) (modernized text) I. 314 I am far from reflecting on any. I know the worth of those Commanders. 1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe iii. 28 But, since my Honour you so far suspect, 'Tis just I should on your designs reflect. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters ii. 61 I would not be thought to reflect upon this very eminent physician's practice. 1794 Cases Manumission of Negroes (Supreme Court, New Jersey) 21 Divers Expressions made use of by him reflecting on the Authority of the Court. 1811 Times 21 Jan. 3/2 You have permitted an anonymous paragraph to appear in your columns, reflecting on a noble young lady. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 115 The clergy were strictly charged not to reflect on the Roman Catholic religion in their discourses. 1870 C. Dickens Edwin Drood viii. 48 ‘It does not seem to me very civil in you,’ remarks Neville, at length, ‘to reflect upon a stranger who comes here, not having had your advantages.’ b. intransitive. Of events, actions, etc.: to create a negative impression of, redound to the discredit of, tell against. Now rare. ΚΠ 1622 J. Reynolds Triumphs Gods Revenge: 2nd Bk. vi. 28 They aduize her to be cautious, and to doe nothing rashly in this her second match, that the misfortune and scandall of her first, may no more reflect on her. 1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. ii. 7 These were but personal heats, which reflected not upon the publick body of the Church. 1691 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. 167 We are generally more impatient of what reflects upon our Intellectuals, than of what reflects upon our Morals. 1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 74 The Prejudice of that whole Transaction reflected solely upon the Arch-Bishop. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 39. ⁋13 Ill Language, and brutal Manners, reflected only on those who were guilty of 'em. 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xvii. vi. 131 Mrs. Miller..related every thing concerning that Fact, suppressing only those Circumstances which would have most reflected on her Daughter. View more context for this quotation 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth viii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 204 I cannot endure to see our townsman beaten and rifled... It reflects upon the Fair Town. 1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 329 A series of terrible atrocities..which reflects seriously on the state in whose service the worst offenders were. 1904 G. B. McCutcheon Brewster's Millions (1907) iii. 90 Oh, I wish I had never come on this horrible cruise. These frightful extravagances will reflect on us all. †c. transitive. To assign (blame, fault, etc.) to; to express (criticism) of. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > slander or calumny > slander or calumniate [verb (transitive)] to say or speak shame of, on, byc950 teleeOE sayOE to speak evil (Old English be) ofc1000 belie?c1225 betell?c1225 missayc1225 skandera1300 disclanderc1300 wrenchc1300 bewrayc1330 bite1330 gothele1340 slanderc1340 deprave1362 hinderc1375 backbite1382 blasphemec1386 afamec1390 fame1393 to blow up?a1400 defamea1400 noise1425 to say well (also evil, ill, etc.) of (also by)1445 malignc1450 to speak villainy of1470 infame1483 injury1484 painta1522 malicea1526 denigrate1526 disfamea1533 misreporta1535 sugill?1539 dishonest?c1550 calumniate1554 scandalize1566 ill1577 blaze1579 traduce1581 misspeak1582 blot1583 abuse1592 wronga1596 infamonize1598 vilify1598 injure?a1600 forspeak1601 libel1602 infamize1605 belibel1606 calumnize1606 besquirt1611 colly1615 scandala1616 bedirt1622 soil1641 disfigurea1643 sycophant1642 spatter1645 sugillate1647 bespattera1652 bedung1655 asperse1656 mischieve1656 opprobriatea1657 reflect1661 dehonestate1663 carbonify1792 defamate1810 mouth1810 foul-mouth1822 lynch1836 rot1890 calumny1895 ding1903 bad-talk1938 norate1938 bad-mouth1941 monster1967 1661 A. Campbell Manes Presbyteriani 20 You must by no meanes take any notice of the Kings restauration..unless a thing offer it self, wherein you may have an occasion to reflect an imputation upon him. 1670 R. Baxter Cure Church-div. 382 When you reprove those weak Christians..reflect not any disgrace or contempt upon Religion. a1680 J. Corbet Acct. Princ. & Pract. Nonconformists (1682) 16 Our equals that differ from us are upon this account no more reproached in us, than we in them, and we can no more be thought to reflect an imputation of evil on them, than they on us. 1809 E. Christian in Blackstone's Comm. II. 160 If it were not presumptuous to reflect a censure upon a doctrine..sanctioned by illustrious names. †10. intransitive. To have a bearing on, be related to; to concern, affect. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > relate or connect [verb (intransitive)] > refer or relate returna1393 referc1405 regard1525 tend1571 relate1609 reflect1617 advert1765 the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > be similar [verb (intransitive)] > have a touch, tinge, or suggestion of soundc1340 smatchc1380 soundc1380 savourc1454 smell1526 taste1559 relish1577 smacka1616 reflect1617 seasona1625 tincture1787 twang1821 1617 S. Collins Epphata to F. T. ii. viii. 192 They onely are to be worshipped, who are so subsisting in that vnitie of Godhead, and trinitie of Persons, as the honour done to one, necessarily reflects vpon them all. 1635 R. Brathwait Raglands Niobe sig. A6^v Yet, as I live, I love to beare a share In such depressive burdens: for these bee, As I am yours, reflecting upon mee. 1657 M. Hawke Killing is Murder & No Murder 46 That it reflected not so much upon his own good, as the welfare of the Commonwealth, that he should be safe. 1662 H. More Coll. Philos. Writings (ed. 2) Pref. Gen. p. xvii Which latter in all likelihood was a glance at the third day's work. But the former part, that affirms the Ground eternal, reflects upon the first. 11. With on or upon. a. transitive. To project (a quality, attribute, or appearance) on a person or thing, as though by reflection (reflection n. 3); to impart indirectly, by extension or association.Sometimes in explicitly figurative contexts, esp. in early use. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > [verb (transitive)] > reflect (something) on reflect1622 the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > detract from [verb (transitive)] > bring discredit on or bring into disrepute unworthyc1230 alosea1325 low1340 ensclaundre1389 foulc1390 disparagea1400 deface1529 depress1550 discredit?1550 ignoblec1590 redound1591 reproach1593 blame1596 nullify1603 scandal1606 sinka1616 even1625 explode1629 disrepute1649 disrepute1651 lese1678 rogue1678 reflect1769 disconsider1849 dispraise1879 1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 12 It did refresh and reflect upon the King a most odious resemblance, as if he would be another King Richard. 1675 R. Burthogge Cavsa Dei 45 All the Aggravations Reflected on the faulty Action by this Transcendent Object. 1724 N. Amhurst Oculus Britanniæ 18 His brother's virtues, all divinely bright, Reflect on him a pale inferiour light. 1730 R. Blomer Disc. conc. Conscience 33 The many great and eminent..Vertues of this illustrious Personage, cannot but reflect some Lustre upon the Character of our deceas'd Brother. 1769 W. Robertson Hist. Charles V II. vi. 443 Of all the actions in the Emperor's life, this..reflects the greatest dishonour on his reputation. 1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice III. viii. 147 She was more alive to the disgrace, which the want of new clothes must reflect on her daughter's nuptials, than to any sense of shame at her eloping. View more context for this quotation 1826 Times 12 July 2/5 So far from thinking that any honour was reflected on him from sitting in the House of Commons, he was of opinion that lustre was refracted through him on that assembly. 1857 W. R. Alger Orat. 4 July 33 It reflects infamy on our Government, that an iron hand of suppressal was not promptly laid on these marauding parties. 1884 Manch. Examiner 7 May 5/4 The contest..reflects more credit upon the intrepidity than upon the wisdom of the belligerents. 1948 Life 6 Sept. 9/2 In attributing such a radical statement falsely to me you have reflected discredit on the U.S. Army as well as on me. 1970 D. Jacobson Rape of Tamar xv. 175 My glory reflects glory upon him; my future and his have never looked brighter. 2006 R. Morledge et al. Building Procurement x. 150 A well-designed building reflects credit on those who commissioned it as well as on the designers who conceived it. b. intransitive. To throw (indirect) light on a person or thing; to be revealing about; (also with modifying adverb) to reveal in a particular light; to create a (good, bad, etc.) impression of. Cf. sense 6b. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > [verb (transitive)] > reflect on (something) reflect1856 1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. I. v. 381 His conduct, though creditable to his ingenuity, reflects less pleasantly on his character. 1896 Argosy Mar. 541/2 Any such action would in the end only reflect disadvantageously on himself. 1957 I. Fleming Diamond Smugglers (1960) 125 This mysterious man from London..asking questions and making recommendations which reflected on their efficiency. 1964 K. Amis Let. 27 Aug. (2000) 650 Jane says would you bring some fly squirts, which reflects less on the fly population here (not excessive) than the price of the squirts locally. 1978 U.S. News & World Rep. 4 Sept. 17/3 The President himself drops by the White House press room to announce or call attention to events that reflect favorably on the administration. 1979 Nature 11 Jan. 84/1 If the flight control centre was indeed ‘astounded’, this surely reflects on the rate at which the Soviet team get access to the data from US missions. 1989 Spin Oct. 113/1 When D'Arby sings..his performances reflect more on him than on the songs. 1997 F. Saibil Crohn's Dis. & Ulcerative Colitis vii. 133 Postoperative leak happens occasionally with any type of bowel surgery, and does not reflect badly on the surgeon. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.1594adj.a1628v.?a1425
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reflectn.

† reflectadj.

reflectv.