Deflect

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; to deflect a punch; to deflect criticism by acknowledging a mistake. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

Sitting with their knees deflected under them. Lord (1630). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being deflected. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Turned aside; deviating from a direct line or course. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Bent downward; deflexed. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The other leads to the same point, through certain deflections. Lowth. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Gunnery) The deviation of a shot or ball from its true course. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Opt.) A deviation of the rays of light toward the surface of an opaque body; inflection; diffraction. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Engin.) The bending which a beam or girder undergoes from its own weight or by reason of a load. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of freeing from inflections. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To free from inflections. [ 1913 Webster ]

Deflectionized languages are said to be analytic. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Causing deflection. [ 1913 Webster ]

Deflective forces, forces that cause a body to deviate from its course. [ 1913 Webster ]