reflection English · revision 7127

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1384|origins=la reflecto}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɹɪˈflɛkʃən/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English reflexioun, refleccioun, [[bor|fro|reflexion]] and directly [[bor|la-lat|reflexio|t=a bending back]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) from reflexus, the past participle of [[m|la|reflecto|alt=reflectere|t=to bend back]], from [[m|la|re-|t=back]] and [[m|la|flecto|alt=flectere|t=to bend]] (see [[flexible]]).^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) The -ct- spelling, influenced by the verb [[reflect]], is from the late 14th century and was established in the 18th.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The throwing back of light or heat by a surface: about 1386 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) an obsolete sense of about 1384 is a reflexive influence on the mind.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The image in a mirror is from the 1580s (1587).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Reflected light or heat itself is from 1555.^(OED 1989) A remark made after thinking something over is from the 1640s,^(Etymonline) and of the mind, turning one's thought back on past experiences, from the 1670s.^(Etymonline) The OED considers the -x- spelling the etymological one, but Fowler (1926) notes that -ct- is usual.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1386 – the throwing back of light.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1555 – reflected light.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1580s – a mirror image.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1640s – a considered remark.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1670s – careful thought.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The throwing back of [[light]], heat or sound by a surface.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An image seen in a mirror or shiny surface.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Careful thought or consideration.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A remark or idea arising from careful thought.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sign or result of something: ''a reflection of his character''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[reflectional]]

+ * [[reflectionless]]

+ * [[interreflection]]

+ * [[retroreflection]]

+ * [[self-reflection]]

+ * [[superreflection]]

+ * [[angle of reflection]]

+ * [[reflection nebula]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[reflect]]

+ * [[reflective]]

+ * [[reflector]]

+ * [[reflex]]

+ * [[reflexive]]

+ * [[flexible]]

+ * [[deflect]]

+ * [[inflection]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}