deflections
|de-flec-tions|
🇺🇸
/dɪˈflɛkʃənz/
🇬🇧
/dɪˈflɛkʃ(ə)nz/
(deflection)
bending aside; deviation
Etymology
'deflection' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'deflectere,' where 'de-' meant 'away' and 'flectere' meant 'to bend.'
'deflection' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'deflectio' (from Latin 'deflectere') and entered English via Late Latin/Old French into Middle English to become the modern English 'deflection.'
Initially, it meant 'a bending or turning aside,' but over time it evolved into current senses including 'a deviation from a straight path' and 'an act of diverting or avoiding attention.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of deflection: a bending or movement away from a straight or expected path, especially of a physical object or structural element.
The engineers measured the deflections of the bridge under different loads.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
plural of deflection: acts of diverting attention or changing the subject; evasions or distractions.
Her answers were full of deflections rather than direct responses to the question.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/10 03:25