Definition

1. Noun:
   • The capability for quiet thought or contemplation: The quality of being thoughtful, introspective, or given to meditation.
   • The ability to reflect beams or rays: The physical property of a surface to throw back light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.
   • The fraction of radiant energy that is reflected from a surface: A measurable ratio in physics, representing the proportion of incident energy that is reflected.

Usage Examples

• Capability for thought:
  • Her high reflectivity made her an excellent philosopher.
  • The poet's work is marked by deep reflectivity on the human condition.
• Physical property to reflect:
  • The mirror's high reflectivity creates a bright image.
  • Engineers measure the reflectivity of road signs to ensure visibility at night.
• Measurable fraction of energy:
  • The albedo of a planet is a measure of its overall reflectivity.
  • Snow has a high reflectivity for solar radiation.

Advanced Usage

• In psychology: Refers to a cognitive style characterized by deep, careful thinking before acting.
  • The test assesses a child's cognitive reflectivity versus impulsivity.
• In optics and materials science: Often quantified as a percentage or decimal between 0 and 1 (or 0% and 100%).
  • The coating achieves a reflectivity of over 99% for specific wavelengths.

Variants and Related Words

• Reflectance (n): A synonym specifically for the physical measurement of reflected energy. Often used interchangeably with the third definition of 'reflectivity'.
  • The spectrometer measured the sample's reflectance.
• Reflective (adj): Having the property of reflecting; or, characterized by deep thought.
  • A reflective surface; A reflective mood.
• Reflection (n): The act or process of reflecting; or, serious thought or consideration.
  • The reflection of light in water; Lost in reflection.

Synonyms

• Thoughtfulness: (for the contemplative sense) The quality of being absorbed in thought.
• Albedo: (for the planetary/energy sense) The proportion of light or radiation reflected by a surface.
• Shininess: (informal, for the physical property) The visual appearance of reflecting light well.

Related Phrases

• Specular reflectivity: The reflectivity of a mirror-like surface where light is reflected at a definite angle.
  • Polished metal exhibits high specular reflectivity.
• Diffuse reflectivity: The reflectivity of a rough surface where light is scattered in many directions.
  • A matte white wall has high diffuse reflectivity.

Noun

1. the capability of quiet thought or contemplation
2. the ability to reflect beams or rays
3. the fraction of radiant energy that is reflected from a surface