Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RE-FLECT', v.i.

1. To throw back light; to return rays or beams; as, a reflecting mirror or gem. – Shak.
2. To bend back. – Bentley.
3. To throw or turn back the thoughts upon the past operations of the mind or upon past events. We reflect with pleasure on a generous or heroic action; we reflect with pain on our follies and vices; we reflect on our former thoughts, meditations and opinions.
4. To consider attentively; to revolve in the mind; to contemplate; as, I will reflect on this subject. And as I much reflected, much I mourn'd. – Prior. In every action, reflect upon the end. – Taylor. [To reflect on things future, is not strictly possible, yet the word is often used as synonymous with meditate and contemplate.]
5. To bring reproach. Errors of wives reflect on husband still. – Dryden. To reflect on, to cast censure or reproach. I do not reflect in the least on the memory of his late majesty. – Swift.