reflect

Etymology

From Old French reflecter (“to bend back, turn back”), from Latin reflectō (“I reflect”), from re- (“again”) + flectō (“I bend, I curve”).

verb

1. (transitive) To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface.
   A mirror reflects the light that shines on it.
2. (intransitive) To be bent back (light, etc.) from a surface.
   The moonlight reflected from the surface of water.
3. (transitive) To mirror, or show the image of something.
   The shop window reflected his image as he walked past.
4. (intransitive) To be mirrored.
   His image reflected from the shop window as he walked past.
5. (transitive) To agree with; to closely follow.
   Entries in English dictionaries aim to reflect common usage.
6. (transitive) To give evidence of someone's or something's character etc.
   The team's victory reflects the Captain's abilities.
   The teacher's ability reflects well on the school.
   The admirable smoothness of the riding also reflected the greatest credit on those who, despite the difficulties caused by the shortage of men and materials, have succeeded in maintaining the track in such first-class order. 1946 July and August, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 213
7. (intransitive) To think seriously; to ponder or consider.
   People do that sort of thing every day, without ever stopping to reflect on the consequences.
   Standing on the mountain above Caerphilly, one may reflect upon the gap where once stood Llanbradach Viaduct, and look near at hand upon the restored ruins of Caerphilly Castle; man labours to rebuild the mediaeval whilst he ruthlessly scraps the modern. 1939 September, D. S. Barrie, “The Railways of South Wales”, in Railway Magazine, page 165
   Not for the first time, he reflected that it was not so much the speeches that strained the nerves as the palaver that went with them. 1985, Justin Richards, Option Lock, page 229
   Sitting on the dockside at Oban, watching the to-ing and fro-ing in the harbour on a perfect summer's eve, I reflect on a trip which has taken me through our busiest cities to traverse the country's main lines, as well as explore some of the furthest extremities that were literally out on a limb. November 30 2022, Paul Bigland, “Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland”, in RAIL, number 971, page 79