Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Reflection \Re*flec"tion\ (r?*fl?k"sh?n), n. [L. reflexio: cf.
   F. r['e]flexion. See {Riflect}.] [Written also {reflexion}.]
   1. The act of reflecting, or turning or sending back, or the
      state of being reflected. Specifically:
      (a) The return of rays, beams, sound, or the like, from a
          surface. See {Angle of reflection}, below.

                The eye sees not itself, But by reflection, by
                some other things.                --Shak.
      (b) The reverting of the mind to that which has already
          occupied it; continued consideration; meditation;
          contemplation; hence, also, that operation or power of
          the mind by which it is conscious of its own acts or
          states; the capacity for judging rationally,
          especially in view of a moral rule or standard.

                By reflection, . . . I would be understood to
                mean, that notice which the mind takes of its
                own operations, and the manner of them, by
                reason whereof there come to be ideas of these
                operations in the understanding.  --Locke.

                This delight grows and improves under thought
                and reflection.                   --South.

   2. Shining; brightness, as of the sun. [Obs.] --Shak.

   3. That which is produced by reflection. Specifically:
      (a) An image given back from a reflecting surface; a
          reflected counterpart.

                As the sun water we can bear, Yet not the sun,
                but his reflection, there.        --Dryden.
      (b) A part reflected, or turned back, at an angle; as, the
          reflection of a membrane.
      (c) Result of meditation; thought or opinion after
          attentive consideration or contemplation; especially,
          thoughts suggested by truth.

                Job's reflections on his once flourishing estate
                did at the same time afflict and encourage him.
                                                  --Atterbury.

   4. Censure; reproach cast.

            He died; and oh! may no reflection shed Its
            poisonous venom on the royal dead.    --Prior.

   5. (Physiol.) The transference of an excitement from one
      nerve fiber to another by means of the nerve cells, as in
      reflex action. See {Reflex action}, under {Reflex}.

   {Angle of reflection}, the angle which anything, as a ray of
      light, on leaving a reflecting surface, makes with the
      perpendicular to the surface.

   {Angle of total reflection}. (Opt.) Same as {Critical angle},
      under {Critical}.

   Syn: Meditation; contemplation; rumination; cogitation;
        consideration; musing; thinking.

Source : WordNet®

reflection
     n 1: a calm lengthy intent consideration [syn: {contemplation}, {reflexion},
           {rumination}, {musing}, {thoughtfulness}]
     2: the phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being
        thrown back from a surface [syn: {reflexion}]
     3: expression without words; "tears are an expression of
        grief"; "the pulse is a reflection of the heart's
        condition" [syn: {expression}, {manifestation}, {reflexion}]
     4: the image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other
        reflective material); "he studied his reflection in the
        mirror" [syn: {reflexion}]
     5: a likeness in which left and right are reversed [syn: {mirror
        image}, {reflexion}]
     6: (mathematics) a transformation in which the direction of one
        axis is reversed
     7: a remark expressing careful consideration [syn: {observation},
         {reflexion}]
     8: the ability to reflect beams or rays [syn: {reflexion}, {reflectivity}]