reflexion

ref·lex·ion
R1E1F4L1E1X8I1O1N1
UK/ɹɪˈflɛkʃ(ə)n/

noun

Dated spelling of reflection.

UncommonScrabble 19

Meanings

nounreflexion (countable and uncountable, plural reflexions)

plural reflexions

  1. UKcountableuncountableDated spelling of reflection.

    Fig 1. Assessment of venous refilling time (T₀)(analog recording by light reflexion rheograph).

    2005 February, Markus Stücker et al., “Changes in venous refilling time from childhood to adulthood in subjects with apparently normal veins”, in Journal of Vascular Surgery, volume 41, number 2, New York, N.Y.: Elsevier, →DOI, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 02 Mar 2013, page 298, column 1
    4 more examples

    Now, I say, why Time should be so burthensome to such as these, or what should betray them to such infrugal Expences of it, I can give no account without making severe Reflexions on their Discretion.

    1684, John Goodman, A Winter-Evening Conference between neighbours

    He gets off the train, determined not to leave town after all. But a little further reflexion shows him the folly of such a course.

    1953, Samuel Beckett, Watt, [Paris]: Olympia Press, →OCLC

    Reflexion near 48 μm was provided by strong reststrahl reflexion from ZnSe used in the multilayer construction.

    1973, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London; Series A: Mathematical and Physical Sciences, volume 334, London: Royal Society of London, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 161

    “Connexion” is the etymological (ie, “correct”) spelling. That is to say, our word is derived from an actual Latin noun, cf. deflexion, inflexion, and reflexion. […] And it might make life easier to abolish the letter “x”. But why should we cut off the fascinating roots of our words? I should carry on preferring “connexion”.

    [2005 April 11, Philip Howard, “Modern Manners”, in The Times, London: News UK, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 17 Apr 2026
  2. countableuncountablegrammarAn act or instance of referring back to the subject of a sentence, or of having an object equal to the subject.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface

Similar
Broader
physical phenomenon

nounexpression without words

nouna remark expressing careful consideration

nouna calm, lengthy, intent consideration

nounthe ability to reflect beams or rays

nouna likeness in which left and right are reversed

nounthe image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other reflective material)

Similar

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Late Latinreflexiō
  2. Middle Frenchreflexion
  3. Middle Englishreflexion, reflexioun
  4. Englishreflexion

From Middle English reflexion, reflexioun, from Middle French reflexion and its etymon Late Latin reflexiō; the variant spelling reflection is due to influence from correction.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with reflexion

All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

reflexion. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reflexion

MLA

“reflexion.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reflexion. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “reflexion,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reflexion.

Source: reflexion on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.