reflect
v.v. to show an image of something on a surface like a mirror or water. It can also mean to think deeply about something or to show a certain quality.
v. to throw back light, heat, or sound from a surface without absorbing it; also used figuratively to mean thinking deeply or manifesting a specific characteristic.
The calm water reflects the trees perfectly.
After the busy project ended, she took a week off to reflect on her career goals.
The sharp decline in quarterly profits does not necessarily reflect the long-term health of the company, as several one-time expenses skewed the final figures.
From Old French reflecter (“to bend back, turn back”), from Latin reflectō (“to reflect”), from re- (“again”) + flectō (“to bend, to curve”). Compare English reflex.
When meaning 'to think', it often takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
He reflected the problem for an hour.He reflected on the problem for an hour.When used to mean 'to think deeply', the verb is intransitive and requires the preposition 'on'.