deflection

[ dih-flek-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or state of deflecting or the state of being deflected. deflected.
2. amount of deviation.
3. the deviation of the indicator of an instrument from the position taken as zero.
4. Optics. deviation ( def 5a ).
5. Military. the angle formed by the line of sight to the target and the line of sight to the point at which a gun is aimed so as to strike the target.
6. Electronics. (in a cathode-ray tube) the bending by a magnetic field of the beam of electrons leaving the electron gun.

deflection

/ dɪˈflɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act of deflecting or the state of being deflected
2. the amount of deviation
3. the change in direction of a light beam as it crosses a boundary between two media with different refractive indexes
4. a deviation of the indicator of a measuring instrument from its zero position
5. the movement of a structure or structural member when subjected to a load

Derived Forms

• deˈflective, adjective

Other Words From

• nonde·flection noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflection¹

1595–1605; < Late Latin dēflexiōn- (stem of dēflexiō ), equivalent to Latin dēflex ( us ) (past participle of dēflectere; deflect ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Likewise, seasoned interviewers will anticipate your curiosity and will have prepared some bland response, perhaps with a gentle deflection away from the question they can’t or don’t want to answer to the question they would prefer you had asked.

From Washington Post

The deflection of the suspended magnet from geomagnetic north depends on both the intensity of Earth’s magnetic field and the pull of the second bar magnet.

From Science News

On its newest shoes, Giro now lists sole stiffness by Newtons of force per millimeter of deflection, which would offer an apples-to-apples comparison if other manufacturers followed suit.

From Outside Online

It requires that the seats in your car be capable of withstanding a force applied forwards or backwards that’s equivalent to 20 times the weight of the seat itself, but allows for 40 degrees of seat deflection under that strain.

From Outside Online

This is a deflection that occurs when objects not attached to the ground travel at high speeds or long distances relative to a rotating planet.

From Science News For Students

The larger problem though is the deflection of the real story in STDs.

From The Daily Beast

The alternative to sober, constructive constitutional action is denial, deflection, and death.

From The Daily Beast

Over the past couple of years, as the new reality has settled in, there was a great deal of denial and deflection.

From The Daily Beast

Speed of train produces no effect on the mean deflection, but only on the magnitude of the vibrations.

From Project Gutenberg

From these equations the deflection produced by any given stress on the chains or by a change of temperature can be calculated.

From Project Gutenberg

Do the best the master can, the thought will not pass from him to his reader without considerable deflection.

From Project Gutenberg

Instantly, there was a sharp deflection of the kilovoltmeter.

From Project Gutenberg

The weight per metre was 91 grammes, and the deflection was 46 mm.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aberration
• alteration
• anomaly
• breach
• detour
• discrepancy
• disparity
• divergence
• diversion
• fluctuation
• inconsistency
• irregularity
• modification
• variance
• variation

More About Deflection

What does deflection mean?

Deflection is the act of deflecting—redirecting something or causing it to move in a direction that’s different from the course it had been on.

It can also refer to an instance of deflecting, as in Despite a deflection by the goalie, the ball still rolled into the goal. 

The verb deflect can also be used in a passive way meaning for something to have its course changed, and deflection can also refer to an instance of this.

Deflection can also be used in a figurative way referring to the act or an instance of doing something to avoid questioning or scrutiny, as in When asked about the scandal, the senator offered only deflection, giving a vague answer and changing the subject. 

Deflection can also be used in more specific ways in scientific and technical contexts.

Example: The meteor is headed straight for Earth—our only chance is to cause a deflection using the space laser!

Where does deflection come from?

The first records of the word deflection come from around 1600. It ultimately comes from the Latin dēflectere, “to bend down” or “to turn aside,” from flectere, “to bend” or “to turn” (the same root is used in the words reflect and reflection). The prefix de- is used to indicate a reversal or undoing.

The literal sense of deflection is often used in the description of sports action—players cause deflections on balls and pucks to prevent them from entering the goal, the hoop, or another player’s hands. Such deflections are often slight—the ball or puck changes direction only slightly. But deflecting something can sometimes cause it to move in the complete opposite direction, as in The deflection by the goalie caused the ball to bounce right back at the striker, who then easily kicked it in the goal. 

When you engage in deflection of questions, you dodge or evade them, often by changing the subject. Politicians are especially known for using deflection to avoid addressing sensitive issues. This figurative sense of deflection is often used in a way that implies that such actions are dishonest.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to deflection?

• deflect (verb)

What are some synonyms for deflection?

• redirection

What are some words that share a root or word element with deflection? 

 

• reflection

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing deflection?

 

• ball
• question
• course
• path
• direction
• misdirection

How is deflection used in real life?

Deflection is commonly used in both literal and figurative ways. When used figuratively, it’s usually negative.

23' Goal to Forest Green Rovers.

Dan Happe gets across to block Cadden's shot, but the deflection unluckily nestles into the corner of the net.#FGR 1-0 #LOFC

— Leyton Orient (@leytonorientfc) September 5, 2020

People’s coping strategies are rarely, if ever about us. Even if it’s lying, deflection, etc.

Now the coping strategies we allow? That is where the learning is. Asking:
“Why do I continually re-invite this behavior after seeing it?” There’s the learnin fam.

— Yolo Akili (@YoloAkili) September 7, 2020

Deflection, dribble, offside, foul play and distraction USED TO BE just football things.

— Nakuul Mehta (@NakuulMehta) September 5, 2020

 

 

Try using deflection!

Which of the following scenarios includes an example of deflection?

A. John shoots the basketball, but Jane blocks it before it can reach the rim.
B. A rock falls from a dump truck and bounces off a car’s windshield.
C. Justin’s dad asks him if he passed his math test, and Justin responds by asking what’s for dinner.
D. All of the above.