'light-reflecting' originates from English, specifically the word 'light' (Old English 'lēoht' / 'līht') combined with the present-participle form 'reflecting' from the verb 'reflect' (from Latin 'reflectere').

'reflect' changed from Latin 'reflectere' (to bend back) into Old French and Middle English forms (e.g. Middle English 'reflecten') and eventually became the modern English verb 'reflect', which formed the compound adjective 'light-reflecting'.

Initially related to the general sense 'to bend or throw back' (as in bending waves or motion), but over time it specialized in contexts such as light and sound; the compound now specifically means 'sending back light'.