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# deflection

noun (a deflection, deflections; also uncountable)

«deflection» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A change in direction when something bounces off or is pushed sideways: «The ball went in off a deflection». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deflection/#m1)
2. (science) The amount something bends or moves aside under a force, such as a beam under a load or a needle on a meter: «the deflection of the compass needle». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deflection/#m2)
3. Turning attention, blame or a question away from yourself onto something else: «His joke was just a deflection». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deflection/#m3)

### In the lessons

In football and other sports, a goal scored «off a deflection» changed direction when it hit another player. In science lessons on forces, magnets deflect a compass needle, and light can be deflected (bent) by mirrors and lenses. In PSHE and media literacy, «deflection» is avoiding a hard question by changing the subject or blaming others. Phrases: «a deflection off», «deflection of the needle», «a lucky deflection».

### Examples

- The goal came from a lucky deflection off a defender. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deflection/#x1)
- The magnet caused a deflection of the compass needle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deflection/#x2)
- We measured the deflection of the ruler when we hung weights on it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deflection/#x3)
- When asked about the broken vase, his answer was a clear deflection. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deflection/#x4)
- Without that deflection the shot would have missed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deflection/#x5)
- The deflection of light by a prism splits it into colours. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deflection/#x6)

### Note

Spelled «deflection» (UK sometimes «deflexion», old). Verb: «deflect». In science, «deflection» is often measured in millimetres or degrees. In sport commentary, «a wicked deflection» means a big, unlucky change of direction.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «deflection» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deflection/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«deflection» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/deflection.html) on Mova free.