deflected

Deflected is the past participle of deflect, meaning to cause to change direction or to veer away from a path, or to have been diverted. It is used as both a verb form and an adjective to describe something that has been redirected or deviated from its original course.

In physics and engineering, deflection describes the change in trajectory of a moving object or particle under the influence of forces or obstacles; the amount of deflection is often expressed by an angle between the original direction and the final path. In optics, deflection refers to the change in the path of light or other electromagnetic radiation caused by reflection, refraction, or bending through a medium, including gravitational deflection in astrophysics predicted by general relativity. In engineering and materials science, deflection can describe the bending or displacement of a structural element under load, often measured at a midpoint of a beam or at a specified point.

In sports and everyday contexts, a deflected shot or pass is one redirected by a defender, player, or object in flight, sometimes changing the intended target or outcome. The term is also used in navigation and military contexts to denote a change in course or direction of travel or action prompted by an obstacle, threat, or strategic consideration.

Deflected remains closely related to deflection and deflector, and the usage can be as adjective or verb phrase (the ball deflected off the goalkeeper's leg; the ray was deflected by the prism). Without context, deflected generally implies some redirection from an original path.