Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Deflect \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).

Deflect \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.

Source : WordNet®

deflect
     v 1: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's
          avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation";
          "avert a strike" [syn: {debar}, {obviate}, {avert}, {head
          off}, {stave off}, {fend off}, {avoid}, {ward off}]
     2: turn from a straight course , fixed direction, or line of
        interest [syn: {bend}, {turn away}]
     3: turn aside [syn: {deviate}]
     4: draw someone's attention away from something; "The thief
        distracted the bystanders"; "He deflected his competitors"
        [syn: {distract}]
     5: impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an
        attack" [syn: {parry}, {block}]