reflective, a. and n.
(rɪˈflɛktɪv)
[f. reflect v. + -ive. Cf. reflexive, and mod.F. réflectif.]
A. adj. That reflects, in various senses.
1. a. That gives back an image or reflection of an object; that mirrors or reproduces.
| 1627 Feltham Resolves ii. lxxix. 226 Domitian's reflectiue Galleries, could not guard him from the skarfed arme. 1718 Prior Solomon iii. 795 In the reflective stream the sighing bride, Viewing her charms impair'd, abash'd shall hide Her pensive head. 1791 E. Darwin Bot. Gard. i. 156 Each bright stream.., Reflective fountain, and tumultuous tide. 1867 Ellacombe in Trans. Exeter Dioc. Archit. Soc. Ser. ii. I. 105 All the panels are filled with plate glass, the reflective power of which is greatly admired. 1886 Ruskin Præterita I. vi. 175 The polished floor..as reflective as a mahogany table. |
| fig. 1848 Gilfillan in Tait's Mag. XV. 511 A man's times are reflective of the man, as well as a man of the times. |
b. That throws back something striking or falling upon the surface; esp. that reflects light.
| 1742 tr. Algarotti on ‘Newton's Theory’ II. 205 Where the attractive Force is greatest, the reflective and repulsive is greatest also. 1867 G. F. Chambers Astron. 81 When viewed by the naked eye the Moon presents a mottled appearance; this arises from our satellite being unequally reflective. 1871 tr. Schellen's Spectr. Anal. xviii. 64 The reflective substance of a prism. |
c. Gram. = reflexive 5.
| 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 253/1 The so-called Reflective verb is in form either a transitive verb..or a passive verb. |
2. a. Of light: Produced by reflection, reflected, borrowed.
| 1666 Dryden Ann. Mirab. ccliii, His beams he to his royal brother lent, And so shone still in his reflective light. 1773 J. Ross Fratricide iv. 357 (MS.), Now their broad blades encount'ring in mid air Shot through the darkness a reflective light. 1867 Bailey Univ. Hymn 6 Moon, whose gleam Reflective, types the God-light, wherewith shines Man's soul. |
b. Reflex, reciprocal.
| 1839 I. Taylor Anc. Chr. I. 386 Could such things happen without producing a reflective effect on the religious sentiments and manners of the men most nearly concerned? |
† 3. That makes or contains reflections or censures on or upon a person. Obs.
| 1668 Pepys Diary 13 Sept., Little [is] said reflective on me, though W. Pen and J. Minnes do mean me in one or two places. 1677 Gilpin Demonol. (1867) 334 At such times men are too apt to entertain cruel thoughts of God, and sadly reflective upon His mercy or justice. |
4. a. Of mental faculties: Of or pertaining to reflection (on what is presented to the mind).
| 1678 Norris Misc. (1699) 276 The Soul, whose reflective Faculty will not fail to give her information. 1718 Prior Solomon i. 739 Forc'd by reflective reason, I confess, That human science is uncertain guess. 1858 O. W. Holmes Aut. Breakf.-t. vi. 50 The Poet says, that rapidly growing towns are most unfavourable to the imaginative and reflective faculties. |
b. Given to, commonly exercising, thought or reflection; meditative, thoughtful.
| 1820 Blackw. Mag. VI. 688 The very model of an accomplished, reflective, and affectionate English matron. 1833 Coleridge Table-t. 23 Oct., Elegy is the form of poetry natural to the reflective mind. 1870 Dickens E. Drood iii, Until her face, which has been comically reflective, brightens. |
c. Proceeding from, due to, reflection.
| 1863 E. V. Neale Anal. Th. & Nat. vi. 71 The first half of such a judgment as ‘the bridge is of iron, therefore it is strong’, is only reflective. 1934 M. Bodkin Archetypal Patterns in Poetry 314 An hypothesis..that archetypal patterns, or images, are present within the experience communicated through poetry, and may be discovered there by reflective analysis. 1961 Manas 5 Apr. 1/2 Mr. Lyford gives voice to a temper that represents..an achieved plateau of reflective thinking. |
B. n.
† 1. A mirror. Obs. rare—1.
| 1720 Mrs. Manley Secret Mem. II. 251 If any one were but for ten Years forbid that View, and then to have the Reflective brought,..they would be..at a loss to know their own outward Form. |
2. pl. The organs or faculties of reflection.
| 1895 Funk's Stand. Dict. |