Hypertext Webster Gateway: "deflect"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Deflect \De*flect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deflected}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deflecting}.] [L. deflectere; de- + flectere to bend
or turn. See {Flexible}.]
To cause to turn aside; to bend; as, rays of light are often
deflected.
Sitting with their knees deflected under them. --Lord
(1630).
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Deflect \De*flect"\, v. i.
To turn aside; to deviate from a right or a horizontal line,
or from a proper position, course or direction; to swerve.
At some part of the Azores, the needle deflecteth not,
but lieth in the true meridian. --Sir T.
Browne.
To deflect from the line of truth and reason.
--Warburton.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
deflect
v 1: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's
avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation";
"avert a strike" [syn: {debar}, {obviate}, {avert}, {head
off}, {stave off}, {fend off}, {avoid}, {ward off}]
2: turn from a straight course , fixed direction, or line of
interest [syn: {bend}, {turn away}]
3: turn aside [syn: {deviate}]
4: draw someone's attention away from something; "The thief
distracted the bystanders"; "He deflected his competitors"
[syn: {distract}]
5: impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball), as in sports
or fights; "block an attack" [syn: {parry}, {block}]
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