The eye sees not itself, But by reflection, by
some other things. --Shak.
(b) The reverting of the mind to that which has already
occupied it; continued consideration; meditation;
contemplation; hence, also, that operation or power of
the mind by which it is conscious of its own acts or
states; the capacity for judging rationally,
especially in view of a moral rule or standard.
By reflection, . . . I would be understood to
mean, that notice which the mind takes of its
own operations, and the manner of them, by
reason whereof there come to be ideas of these
operations in the understanding. --Locke.
This delight grows and improves under thought
and reflection. --South.
2. Shining; brightness, as of the sun. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. That which is produced by reflection. Specifically:
(a) An image given back from a reflecting surface; a
reflected counterpart.
As the sun water we can bear, Yet not the sun,
but his reflection, there. --Dryden.
(b) A part reflected, or turned back, at an angle; as, the
reflection of a membrane.
(c) Result of meditation; thought or opinion after
attentive consideration or contemplation; especially,
thoughts suggested by truth.
Job's reflections on his once flourishing estate
did at the same time afflict and encourage him.
--Atterbury.
He died; and oh! may no reflection shed Its
poisonous venom on the royal dead. --Prior.
5. (Physiol.) The transference of an excitement from one
nerve fiber to another by means of the nerve cells, as in
reflex action. See {Reflex action}, under {Reflex}.
{Angle of reflection}, the angle which anything, as a ray of
light, on leaving a reflecting surface, makes with the
perpendicular to the surface.
{Angle of total reflection}. (Opt.) Same as {Critical angle},
under {Critical}.
Syn: Meditation; contemplation; rumination; cogitation;
consideration; musing; thinking.