deflect Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
    stave off; avert; debar; avoid; obviate; head off; forefend; fend off; ward off; forfend.
    • Let's avoid a confrontation
    • head off a confrontation
    • avert a strike
  2. verb turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
    bend; turn away.
  3. verb turn aside and away from an initial or intended course
  4. verb draw someone's attention away from something
    distract.
    • The thief distracted the bystanders
    • He deflected his competitors
  5. verb impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
    block; parry.
    • block an attack

WordNet

De*flect" transitive verb
Etymology
L. deflectere; de- + flectere to bend or turn. See Flexible.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Deflected; present participle & verbal noun Deflecting
Definitions
  1. To cause to turn aside; to bend; as, rays of light are often deflected.
    Sitting with their knees deflected under them. Lord (1630).
De*flect" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. 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.

Webster 1913