reflective Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite deeply or seriously thoughtful;
    pensive; broody; ruminative; pondering; brooding; contemplative; musing; meditative.
    • Byron lives on not only in his poetry, but also in his creation of the 'Byronic hero' - the persona of a brooding melancholy young man
  2. adjective capable of physically reflecting light or sound
    • a reflective surface
  3. adjective satellite devoted to matters of the mind
    • the reflective type

WordNet

Re*flect"ive adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. réflectif. Cf. Reflexive.
Definitions
  1. Throwing back images; as, a reflective mirror.
    In the reflective stream the sighing bride, viewing her charms. Prior.
  2. Capable of exercising thought or judgment; as, reflective reason. Prior.
    His perceptive and reflective faculties . . . thus acquired a precocious and extraordinary development. Motley.
  3. Addicted to introspective or meditative habits; as, a reflective person.
  4. (Gram.) Reflexive; reciprocal. -- Re*flect"ive*ly, adv. -- Re*flect"ive*ness, n. "Reflectiveness of manner." J. C. Shairp.

Webster 1913