deflection
UK /dɪˈflɛkʃən/ · US /dəˈflɛkʃən/ noun
Forms deflections deflexion
- noun The act of deflecting or something deflected. “Russell's goalbound shot took a deflection off a defender and went out for a corner.”
- noun Deviation (of a needle or other indicator or mechanism) from a previous position.
- noun (figuratively) The act of refusing to address something (questions, criticism, etc.).
- noun (psychology) The act of rejecting culpability by redirecting blame elsewhere.
- noun Bending or deformation under load.
- noun (chess) A tactic that forces an opposing piece to leave the square, rank or file it occupies, thus exposing the king or a valuable piece
Synonyms
warp deflexion refraction bending diversion deviation digression divagation
Etymology
From Latin dēflexiō, from dēflectere (“to deflect”; participle stem dēflex-) + -iō (suffix forming abstract nouns). The non-etymological spelling deflection is taken from the present stem dēflect-, associated with collection, dissection, etc. By surface analysis, deflect + -ion.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The act of turning aside, or state of being turned aside; a turning from a right line or proper course; a bending, esp. downward; deviation.
- noun The deviation of a shot or ball from its true course.
Etymology [L. deflexio, fr. deflectere: cf. F. déflexion.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “deflection”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details