All 3 Uses
reflect
in
Flora & Ulysses
(Edited)
- The setting sun was illuminating each blade of grass. It was reflecting off the girl's glasses, making a halo of light around the girl's round head, setting the whole world on fire.
p. 24.4 *reflecting = shining (bouncing back)
- Flora turned away from the computer and looked at William Spiver's dark glasses and saw, again, her round-headed pajama-ed self reflected there.
p. 66.8reflected = showed or shown (back)
- She didn't want to see herself reflected in his dark glasses.
p. 79.6 *reflected = shown back
Definitions:
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(1)
(reflect as in: reflect in the mirror) show an image back (on a mirror or other shiny surface)
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(2)
(reflect as in: reflect American Values) to show something -- such as to demonstrate, express, or representThe exact meaning of this sense of reflect depends upon its context. For example:
- "She says the immorality in the movie reflects American values." -- expresses or represents
- "It reflects the selfishness she had seen growing for years." -- demonstrates
- "She did not reflect the panic that surrounded her." -- demonstrate or show indication of
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(3)
(reflect as in: I want to reflect on it.) think carefully -- possibly aloud or in writing
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(4)
(reflect as in: reflect poorly on the school) influence opinionThis word is often used in a phrase like "reflect poorly on/upon...." Although we define this meaning of reflect as "influence opinion", the use of "upon" or "on" might feel more natural if you think of it as "casting a shade of good or bad upon/on" something.
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(5)
(reflect as in: reflect the light/heat/sound) bounce back (rather than absorbing)
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(6)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) See a comprehensive dictionary for less common meanings of reflect.