Definition

Noun 1. The act of making something change direction, or the fact of being changed in direction. This refers to a physical turning aside or bending from a straight path or intended course. 2. The amount or degree by which something is bent or turned from its original position or path. This is a measurable quantity. 3. A turning aside of attention, concern, or a course of action. This is a figurative use, meaning a distraction or deviation from a main focus or goal.

Examples of Usage

• Physical Change of Direction:
  • The deflection of the light beam by the prism created a rainbow.
  • The goalkeeper's quick reaction caused a deflection of the ball, saving the goal.
• Measurable Amount of Bending:
  • Engineers calculated the deflection of the bridge under maximum load.
  • The deflection of the needle on the gauge indicated high pressure.
• Figurative Change of Focus:
  • The politician's angry response was a deflection from the real issue.
  • His story was full of deflections and irrelevant details.

Advanced Usage

• In Physics/Engineering: Often used to describe the bending of structures (beams, wings) under force, or the change in path of particles (e.g., electron deflection in a cathode ray tube).
• In Psychology/Rhetoric: Describes a conversational tactic to avoid a subject by changing the topic or shifting blame. "Her comment was a clear deflection to avoid answering the question."

Variants and Related Words

• Deflect (verb): To cause something to change direction, or to turn something aside.
  • The mirror deflected the sunlight into the dark room.
  • He deflected the criticism by complimenting his opponent.
• Deflective (adjective): Having the power or tendency to deflect.
• Deflector (noun): A device that causes deflection (e.g., a wind deflector).

Synonyms

• Deviation: A departure from a standard or expected path.
• Divergence: The process or state of separating from a main path or opinion.
• Diversion: The act of turning something from its course; a distraction.
• Bending: The act of curving or flexing something.
• Redirection: The action of directing something to a new or different place or purpose.

Related Phrases

• Angle of deflection: The angle between the original path and the new path of a moving object after it has been deflected.
• Beam deflection: The degree to which a structural beam bends under a load.

Related Idioms

• To serve as a deflection: To act as a distraction from the main issue.
  • The minor scandal served as a deflection from the government's major policy failure.

Noun

1. a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
   • a diversion from the main highway
   • a digression into irrelevant details
   • a deflection from his goal
2. the property of being bent or deflected
3. the movement of the pointer or pen of a measuring instrument from its zero position
4. the amount by which a propagating wave is bent
5. a twist or aberration; especially a perverse or abnormal way of judging or acting