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Synonyms of deflect

angle, refract, turn, avert, deviate, divert, pivot, shift, swing, veer, bend, bounce

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6 dictionary results for: deflect

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

de·flect

[di-flekt] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)

to bend or turn aside; turn from a true course or straight line; swerve.

[Origin: 1545–55; < L déflectere to bend down, turn aside, equiv. to dé- de- + flectere to bend, turn

]

—Related forms

de·flect·a·ble, adjective

de·flec·tor, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

de·flect (dĭ-flěkt') Pronunciation Key
intr. & tr.v. de·flect·ed, de·flect·ing, de·flects
To turn aside or cause to turn aside; bend or deviate.

[Latin dēflectere : dē-, de- + flectere, to bend.]

de·flect'a·ble adj., de·flec'tive adj., de·flec'tor n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
deflect

c.1555, from L. deflectere "to bend aside or downward," from de- "away" + flectere "to bend." Originally transitive, the intrans. sense is first recorded 1646.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

deflect
verb
1.	prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike"
2.	turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
3.	turn aside and away from an initial or intended course
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); "block an attack" [syn: parry]

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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).

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

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