Reading Theme:
Reflection: Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：careful thought (reflection)
reflection
/rɪˈflekʃən/
n.
Careful thought, especially about your own behaviour, decisions, or experiences.
careful thought
➕
/ˈkeəfəl θɔːt/
n.
The act of thinking deeply about something, especially one's own behavior, decisions, or experiences.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Re- (back) + flect (bend) + -ion (noun suffix) => bending back of light or thought.
💡 Mnemonic
Reflect on your actions like light on a mirror.
📖 Example
After a busy week, Sunday evening is the perfect time for quiet reflection on the goals I achieved.
After a busy week, Sunday evening is the perfect time for quiet reflection on the goals I achieved.
🔗 Collocations
on reflection – after careful thought
with reflection – in a thoughtful manner
after much reflection – after a lot of careful thinking
🔄 Synonyms
contemplation (n.) – Deep reflective thought about something.
meditation (n.) – Focused thinking, often for spiritual or calming purposes.
deliberation (n.) – Careful and thorough consideration of a decision.
🚫 Antonyms
impulsiveness (n.) – Acting without careful thought.
neglect (n.) – Failure to give proper attention or thought.
🌱 Derivatives
reflective (adj.) – Engaged in or involving careful thought.
reflect (v.) – To think deeply or carefully about something.
reflector (n.) – A surface that reflects light or sound.
📖 Cultural Story
From Latin 'reflectere' (bend back). In philosophy, 'reflection' came to mean introspection, notably in John Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding.
Meaning 2：mirrored image (reflection)
reflection
/rɪˈflekʃən/
n.
An image that you can see in a mirror, glass, or water.
mirrored image
➕
/ˈmɪrəd ˈɪmɪdʒ/
n.
An image seen in a mirror, glass, water, or any reflective surface.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The beautiful mountain and clouds were perfectly mirrored in the lake's clear reflection.
The beautiful mountain and clouds were perfectly mirrored in the lake's clear reflection.
🔗 Collocations
see one's reflection – look at the image of oneself in a reflective surface
reflection in the water – the mirrored image on the surface of water
mirror reflection – the image formed by a mirror
🔄 Synonyms
image (n.) – A visual representation of something, especially in a mirror or lens.
likeness (n.) – A similar appearance or representation.
mirror image (n.) – An exact reversed copy of something as seen in a mirror.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
reflective (adj.) – Able to reflect light or images.
reflect (v.) – To show an image on a reflective surface.
reflector (n.) – An object that reflects light in a particular direction.
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