Deflect

Deflect is a verb meaning to cause something to change direction or to turn aside from a course. It can describe physical redirection of objects, the bending of beams or particles, or figurative redirection of attention or discussion. The related noun form deflection is commonly used for the resulting change in direction or the act itself.

In physics and engineering, deflection describes the deviation of a trajectory under the influence of a force. Examples include a charged particle deflected by a magnetic field, light deflected by a prism or mirror, and a structural beam deflecting under load. The term can also denote the angle between the original and actual path, known as the deflection angle.

In sports, a deflection refers to a ball or puck redirected by players or obstacles, often changing direction unpredictably. In everyday language, to deflect can mean to evade direct questions or blame by redirecting attention to something else rather than addressing the issue at hand.

Etymology and related forms: deflect comes from Latin deflectere, meaning to bend aside. Related terms include deflection (the noun form describing the act or result of deflecting) and deflector (a device or person that deflects). The concept is distinct from related verbs such as reflect or divert, though they share conceptual overlap in redirecting something from one path to another.