De*flect" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Deflected; p. pr. & vb. n.
Deflecting.] [L. deflectere; de- +
flectere to bend or turn. See Flexible.] To cause
to turn aside; to bend; as, rays of light are often
deflected.
Sitting with their knees deflected under
them.
Lord (1630).De*flect", v. i. To turn aside; to
deviate from a right or a horizontal line, or from a proper position,
course or direction; to swerve.
At some part of the Azores, the needle
deflecteth not, but lieth in the true meridian.
Sir T. Browne.
To deflect from the line of truth and
reason.
Warburton.