Definition

1. Noun:
   • The image of something as reflected by a mirror or other reflective surface: A visual representation that appears to be behind or within the surface.
   • A likeness in which left and right are reversed: A mirrored image where spatial orientation is inverted.
   • The ability to reflect beams or rays: The property of a surface to throw back light, sound, or other waves.
   • A calm, lengthy, intent consideration: The process of serious thought or contemplation.
   • A remark expressing careful consideration: A comment or observation that results from deep thought.
   • Expression without words: A manifestation or indication of a feeling, condition, or quality.
   • The phenomenon of a propagating wave being thrown back from a surface: The physical process where a wavefront encounters a boundary and changes direction, returning into the medium from which it originated.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He admired his reflexion in the polished surface of the car.
  • The reflexion of the trees in the lake was perfectly clear.
  • This material has a high reflexion coefficient for sound waves.
  • After hours of quiet reflexion, she reached a difficult decision.
  • The professor's insightful reflexion on the poem sparked a lively debate.
  • Her smile was a genuine reflexion of her happiness.
  • The reflexion of the radar signal confirmed the object's presence.

Advanced Usage

• "Upon reflexion": After thinking about something carefully.
  • Upon reflexion, I believe your initial proposal was the best.
• "A moment of reflexion": A short period for serious thought.
  • Let's pause for a moment of reflexion before we vote.

Variants and Related Words

• Reflection (noun): The more common modern spelling for all meanings of "reflexion".
• Reflect (verb): To throw back (light, sound, etc.) from a surface, or to think deeply about something.
• Reflective (adjective): Characterized by or capable of reflection (both physical and mental).
• Reflector (noun): An object or surface that reflects light, sound, or other waves.

Synonyms

• Image, mirror image: (for the visual likeness)
• Contemplation, meditation, thoughtfulness: (for the mental consideration)
• Manifestation, indication, expression: (for the non-verbal expression)
• Echo, reverberation: (for the return of waves, particularly sound)

Related Phrases

• Angle of reflexion: (Physics) The angle between a reflected ray and a line perpendicular to the reflecting surface.
• Law of reflexion: (Physics) The principle that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Related Idioms

• Food for reflexion: Something that provides material for serious thought.
  • The documentary provided plenty of food for reflexion on our consumer habits.
• Be lost in reflexion: To be deeply absorbed in one's own thoughts.
  • She was staring out the window, lost in reflexion.

Noun

1. the image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other reflective material)
   • he studied his reflection in the mirror
2. a likeness in which left and right are reversed
3. the ability to reflect beams or rays
4. a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
5. a remark expressing careful consideration
6. expression without words
   • tears are an expression of grief
   • the pulse is a reflection of the heart's condition
7. the phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface