reflected
UK: rɪˈflɛktɪd | US: rɪˈflɛktɪd
adj. 1. (of light, heat, or sound) thrown back from a surface.
vt. 2. to show or express something indirectly.
vt. 3. to think deeply or carefully about something.
The word "reflect" comes from the Latin reflectere, combining re- (back) and flectere (to bend). The morpheme reflect retains the core idea of "bending back," originally describing physical phenomena like light or sound bouncing off surfaces. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe mental processes ("thinking back") or indirect representation ("mirroring" qualities). The suffix -ed marks the past participle form, often used adjectivally (e.g., "reflected light").
The sunlight reflected off the lake’s surface.
Her essay reflected a deep understanding of the topic.
He reflected on his mistakes before making a new decision.
The data reflected a significant increase in sales.
The mirror reflected a distorted image of the room.