deflect

verb de·flect \di-ˈflekt, dē-\

: to cause (something that is moving) to change direction

: to hit something and suddenly change direction

: to keep (something, such as a question) from affecting or being directed at a person or thing

Full Definition of DEFLECT

transitive verb

: to turn aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction

intransitive verb

: to turn aside : deviate

— de·flect·able \-ˈflek-tə-bəl\ adjective

— de·flec·tive \-tiv\ adjective

— de·flec·tor \-tər\ noun

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See deflect defined for kids

Origin of DEFLECT

Latin deflectere to bend down, turn aside, from de- + flectere to bend

First Known Use: circa 1555

Related to DEFLECT

Synonyms: turn, divert, redirect, swing, veer, wheel, whip

Rhymes with DEFLECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked

DEFLECT Defined for Kids

deflect

verb de·flect \di-ˈflekt\

de·flect·edde·flect·ing

Definition of DEFLECT for Kids

: to change or cause to change direction <The goalie deflected the puck.>

Word Root of DEFLECT

The Latin word flectere, meaning “to bend” or “to curve,” and its form flexus give us the roots flect and flex. Words from the Latin flectere have something to do with bending or curving. To flex is to cause something, such as a muscle, to curve or bend. Something flexible can be bent without breaking. To deflect, or turn aside, is to bend the direction of something. To reflect is to bend an image back to the person looking at a mirror or other shiny surface.

Learn More About DEFLECT

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "deflect"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "deflect"

Nglish: Translation of "deflect" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "deflect" for Arabic speakers

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