deflect in English
- deflect⇄deflect, transitive verb, intransitive verb.
to bend or turn aside; change the direction of.
Ex. The wind deflected the arrow's path. The ball deflected from its straight course. (Figurative.) His thoughts were deflected by her constant chatte
deflect in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
Deflect
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/dɪˈflɛkt/
Definitions
- To cause something to change direction by interposing something.
- To prevent something from being directed at oneself.
- To turn aside from a straight course or fixed direction.
Usage Examples
- The shield was able to deflect the incoming arrows.
- She tried to deflect the conversation away from her personal life.
- The goalie deflected the ball away from the goalpost.
Etymology
From Latin "deflectere" (de- ‘away from’ + flectere ‘to bend’).
Synonyms
- Diverge
- Avoid
- Repel
- Turn aside
Antonyms
- Direct
- Focus
- Absorb
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Desviar | /dezˈβjar/ |
| French | Dévier | /devje/ |
| German | Ableiten | /ˈapˌlaɪtən/ |
| Hindi | मोड़ना | /moḍnā/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 偏转 | /piān zhuǎn/ |
| Japanese | そらす | /sorasu/ |
| Russian | Отклонять | /ɐtkɫɐˈnʲætʲ/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
British English: /dɪˈflɛkt/
American English: /dɪˈflɛkt/
Historical Usage
The word "deflect" has been used in physics, sports, and conversation for centuries, describing both literal and figurative changes in direction.
Cultural Nuances
In politics and media, "deflecting" questions is a common rhetorical strategy to avoid direct answers.
More Information
Deflection is a critical concept in physics, particularly in optics, mechanics, and aerodynamics, where forces influence the path of moving objects.