Part 111

De*flate" (?), v. t. [Pref. de- down + L. flare, flatus to blow.] To reduce from an inflated condition.

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).

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.

De*flect"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being deflected.

De*flect"ed, a. 1. Turned aside; deviating from a direct line or course.

2. Bent downward; deflexed.

De*flec"tion (?), n. [L. deflexio, fr. deflectere: cf. F. déflexion.] 1. The act of turning aside, or state of being turned aside; a turning from a right line or proper course; a bending, esp. downward; deviation.

The other leads to the same point, through certain deflections.

Lowth.

2. (Gunnery) The deviation of a shot or ball from its true course.

3. (Opt.) A deviation of the rays of light toward the surface of an opaque body; inflection; diffraction.

4. (Engin.) The bending which a beam or girder undergoes from its own weight or by reason of a load.

De*flec`tion*i*za"tion (?), n. The act of freeing from inflections. Earle.

De*flec"tion*ize (?), v. t. To free from inflections.

Deflectionized languages are said to be analytic.

Earle.

De*flect"ive (?), a. Causing deflection.

Deflective forces, forces that cause a body to deviate from its course.

De*flect"or (?), n. (Mech.) That which deflects, as a diaphragm in a furnace, or a cone in a lamp (to deflect and mingle air and gases and help combustion).

De*flexed" (?), a. Bent abruptly downward.

De*flex"ion (?), n. See Deflection.

De*flex"ure (?), n. [From L. deflectere, deflexum. See Deflect.] A bending or turning aside; deflection. Bailey.