Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Deflection \De*flec"tion\, n. [L. deflexio, fr. deflectere: cf.
   F. d['e]flexion.]
   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.

            The other leads to the same point, through certain
            deflections.                          --Lowth.

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

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

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

Source : WordNet®

deflection
     n 1: a twist or aberration; especially a perverse or abnormal way
          of judging or acting [syn: {warp}]
     2: the amount by which a propagating wave is bent [syn: {deflexion},
         {refraction}]
     3: the movement of the pointer or pen of a measuring instrument
        from its zero position [syn: {deflexion}]
     4: the property of being bent or deflected [syn: {deflexion}, {bending}]
     5: a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern); "a
        diversion from the main highway"; "a digression into
        irrelevant details"; "a deflection from his goal" [syn: {diversion},
         {deviation}, {digression}, {deflexion}, {divagation}]