Part 146

As the sun water we can bear, Yet not the sun, but his reflection, there.

Dryden.

(b) A part reflected, or turned back, at an angle; as, the reflection of a membrane. (c) Result of meditation; thought or opinion after attentive consideration or contemplation; especially, thoughts suggested by truth.

Job's reflections on his once flourishing estate did at the same time afflict and encourage him.

Atterbury.

4. Censure; reproach cast.

He died; and oh! may no reflection shed Its poisonous venom on the royal dead.

Prior.

5. (Physiol.) The transference of an excitement from one nerve fiber to another by means of the nerve cells, as in reflex action. See Reflex action, under Reflex.

Angle of reflection, the angle which anything, as a ray of light, on leaving a reflecting surface, makes with the perpendicular to the surface. -- Angle of total reflection. (Opt.) Same as Critical angle, under Critical.

Syn. -- Meditation; contemplation; rumination; cogitation; consideration; musing; thinking.

Re*flect"ive (r?*fl?kt"?v), a. [Cf. F. réflectif. Cf. Reflexive.] 1. Throwing back images; as, a reflective mirror.

In the reflective stream the sighing bride, viewing her charms.

Prior.

2. Capable of exercising thought or judgment; as, reflective reason. Prior.

His perceptive and reflective faculties . . . thus acquired a precocious and extraordinary development.

Motley.

3. Addicted to introspective or meditative habits; as, a reflective person.

4. (Gram.) Reflexive; reciprocal.

-- Re*flect"ive*ly, adv. -- Re*flect"ive*ness, n. "Reflectiveness of manner." J. C. Shairp.

Re*flect"or (-r), n. [Cf. F. réflecteur.] 1. One who, or that which, reflects. Boyle.

2. (Physics) (a) Something having a polished surface for reflecting light or heat, as a mirror, a speculum, etc. (b) A reflecting telescope. (c) A device for reflecting sound.

Re"flex (r?"fl?ks), a. [L. reflexus, p. p. of reflectere: cf. F. réflexe. See Reflect.] 1. Directed back; attended by reflection; retroactive; introspective.

The reflex act of the soul, or the turning of the intellectual eye inward upon its own actions.

Sir M. Hale.

2. Produced in reaction, in resistance, or in return.

3. (Physiol.) Of, pertaining to, or produced by, stimulus or excitation without the necessary intervention of consciousness.

Reflex action (Physiol.), any action performed involuntarily in consequence of an impulse or impression transmitted along afferent nerves to a nerve center, from which it is reflected to an efferent nerve, and so calls into action certain muscles, organs, or cells. -- Reflex nerve (Physiol.), an excito-motory nerve. See Exito- motory.