reflection etymology

Etymology

The word "reflection" is derived from the Latin word "reflectiō," which means "bending back" or "a bending." This Latin word is itself derived from the verb "reflectere," meaning "to bend back," "to turn over," or "to consider."

Meaning

Reflection refers to the process of sending back light or other radiation or the return or sending back of a sound or image after being directed onto a surface. In a broader sense, it refers to the careful consideration of a subject or the examination of one's thoughts, feelings, or actions.

Origin

The concept of reflection has been understood and used by humans for centuries. The first known uses of the term "reflection" date back to the 13th century in the context of optics. By the 16th century, the term was being used more broadly to refer to the process of careful consideration or introspection.

In physics, the law of reflection was first formulated by Euclid in the 3rd century BC. This law states that the angle of incidence of a ray of light on a surface is equal to the angle of reflection.

In psychology, the study of self-reflection has its roots in the writings of ancient philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. They believed that the act of examining one's thoughts and behaviors was essential for personal growth and self-understanding.

reflection relate terms

  • flexible

    Etymology Latin flexibilis from flexus meaning bent curved Proto Indo Europea

  • redact

    Etymology Late Latin redactus past participle of redigere to bring back restore re

  • redeem

    Etymology The word redeem comes from the Latin word redimere which means to buy bac

  • redolent

    Etymology Latin redolēns fragrant Present participle of the verb redolēre to g

  • redundant

    Etymology Redundant comes from the Latin word redundare which means to overflow or

  • redintegrate

    Etymology Latin redintegrare Prefix re again anew Root integrare to make

  • render

    Etymology Old French rendre Late Latin reddere Proto Indo European red Meaning

  • rally

    Etymology The word rally comes from the Old French word rallier which means to gath

  • receive

    Etymology The word receive comes from the Middle English word receiven which itself

  • recommend

    Recommend Etymology From the Old French recommander to commend recommend itself f

  • reduce

    Etymology Latin reducere from re back ducere to lead Middle French reduir

  • recreate

    Etymology Etymology is derived from the Greek words etymon ἔτυμον true sen

  • refer

    Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way their form and meaning have chan

  • religion

    Etymology The word religion is derived from the Latin word religio which means rev

  • remain

    Etymology The word remain is derived from the Old French word remeindre modern Frenc

  • request

    Etymology The word request comes from the Middle English word requeste which in tu

  • require

    Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the ways in which their meanings have ch

  • recovery

    Etymology of Recovery The word recovery originates from the Old French term recover

  • rebel

    Etymology The word rebel derives from the Latin verb rebellāre meaning to rise ag

  • relic

    Etymology Middle English relike Old French relique Latin reliquia a thing left beh

  • remnant

    Etymology The word remnant is derived from the late Middle English word remenant wh

  • restive

    Etymology The word restive comes from the Latin word restare meaning to stand still

  • rest

    Etymology The word rest originates from the Old English word restan which means to

  • rally

    Etymology The word rally comes from the Old French word rallier which means to gath

  • ransom

    Etymology Middle English raunson from Anglo Norman French raençon from Late Latin r

  • redemption

    Etymology Redemption derives from the Latin word redemptio which means a buying back

  • rampart

    Etymology and Meaning The word rampart comes from the Middle English term rampart w

  • rebuild

    Etymology The word rebuild is derived from the Old English words re meaning again

  • refill

    Etymology The word refill is derived from the French word refiller meaning to fill

  • reset

    Etymology The word reset has its roots in the Middle English word resetten which mea

  • rewrite

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It traces the develo

  • regret

    Etymology Old French regretter Late Latin regretari meaning to murmur complain Po

  • regard

    Etymology The word regard comes from the Middle French word regarder which means t

  • reward

    Etymology Middle English rewarde from Anglo French rewarde reward from Old French r

  • contemplation

    Etymology From Middle English contemplacioun from Old French contemplacion from Latin

  • observation

    Etymology Latin observatio Derived from the verb observare meaning to watch note o

  • expression

    Etymology The word expression derives from the Latin word expressio which means to

  • reflex

    Etymology Latin reflectere to bend back to cast back Proto Indo European leyp

  • cogitation

    Etymology Cogitation n derives from Latin cogitatio meaning a thinking thought r

  • consideration

    Etymology Origin Latin considerare meaning to view attentively ponder reflect Ro

  • image

    Etymology The word image comes from the Latin word imago which in turn comes from th

  • gush

    Etymology The word gush is derived from the Middle English word gushen which means

  • speculation

    Etymology The word speculation comes from the Latin word speculatio which means spy

  • echo

    Etymology The word echo comes from the Greek êkhô which means a sound that is re