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de·flect

(dĭ-flĕkt)

intr. & tr.v. de·flect·ed, de·flect·ing, de·flects

To turn aside or cause to turn aside; bend or deviate.

[Latin dēflectere : dē-, de- + flectere, to bend.]

de·flecta·ble adj.

de·flective adj.

de·flector n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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