- reflection (n.)
- late 14c., in reference to surfaces, from Late Latin reflexionem (nominative reflexio) "a reflection," literally "a bending back," noun of action from past participle stem of Latin reflectere, from re- "back" (see re-) + flectere "to bend" (see flexible). Meaning "remark made after turning back one's thought on some subject" is from 1650s.