particular, usually unfavourable, way: The unemployment figures reflect badly on the government's policies. | an incident that reflects on (=causes doubts about) their honesty 2 [(reflect sthg. on sbdy./sthg.)] (of an action or event) to bring (CREDIT or DISCREDIT) on: Their prompt action in the emergency reflects great credit on them.
re_flected 'glory n [U] respect or admiration that you receive because of what someone you know has done, rather than for what you have done
'Reflecting , Pool, the a long narrow POOL in Washington, D.C., between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. It is at the place where people stood to listen to Martin Luther King when he gave his famous speech in which he said 'I have a dream'.
re'flecting ,telescope n a TELESCOPE (=an instrument for seeing distant objects) in which the image is reflected in a mirror and made bigger → compare REFRACTING TELESCOPE
re-flection /rɪˈflekʃən/ n 1 [C] an image reflected in a mirror or similar surface: We looked at our reflections in the lake. 2 [U] the reflecting of heat, light, sound, or an image: The moon looks bright because of the reflection of light. 3 [C;U(on)] (an idea or statement resulting from) deep and careful thought: It was interesting to hear her reflections on Indian politics. | At first I thought it was a bad idea, but on reflection I realized she was right. 4 [C(of)] something that shows the effects of, or is a sign of, a particular condition, situation etc: The rising rate of crime is a reflection of an unstable society. | Do you think this opinion is an accurate reflection of the public mood? 5 [S+on] disapproval or an unfavourable judgment, especially expressed in an indirect way; CRITICISM: The fact that we're dismissing you is no reflection on the quality of your work – we simply can't afford to employ you any more.
re-flec-tive /rɪˈflektrɪv/ adj 1 (especially of a person) thoughtful 2 (of clothing or a material) reflecting light: The cyclist wore a reflective belt/waistcoat so that cars could see her more easily at night.
re-flec•tor /rɪˈflektr/ n a surface that reflects light. Reflectors are often worn or carried for safety reasons by people riding bicycles or walking at night, so that they will be seen by the drivers of vehicles with HEADLIGHTS.
re-flex /'ri:fleks/ n an unintentional movement that is made in reply to some outside influence: The doctor hit my knee with a hammer to test my reflexes. | I can't help shivering when I'm cold - it's a reflex action. → see also CONDITIONED REFLEX
re-flexive /rɪˈfleksɪv/ n, adj tech (a word) showing that the action in the sentence has its effect on the person or thing that does the action: In 'I enjoyed myself', 'enjoy' is a reflexive verb and the pronoun 'myself' is a reflexive pronoun.
re-flex-ol-o-gy /,ri:flek'solədʒiːl-'sɑː-/ n [U] a kind of ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE in which particular areas of the feet and hands are touched in order to help certain medical conditions
re·for·est /ri:ˈfɔːrɪst/ -ˈfɔːr-,-ˈfɔːr-/ v [T] especially AmE for REAF-FOREST —-ation /ri:ˈfɔːrɪst/ -ˈfɔːr-,-ˈfɔːr-/ n [U]
re-form /,ri:ˈfɔːm|-ɔːrm/ v [|;T] to (cause to) form again, especially into ranks: The army re-formed, ready to attack again.
re-form¹ /rɪˈfɔːmɪl-ɔːrm/ v [ɑːr] to improve, e.g. by changing behaviour or by removing undesirable qualities: a plan to reform the tax system and make it simpler and fairer | Harry has completely reformed/is a completely reformed character now - he's stopped taking drugs. —-er n: a famous social reformer
reform² n [C;U] (a) change made, especially to a system or organization, that is intended to improve it, remove unfairness etc: The President has proposed sweeping (=very big) reforms of the tax system. | a programme of social/economic/educational reform
re•for•mat /ˌriːˈfɔːmətɪl-ɔːr-/ v -tt- [T] to change the way information is organized in a document or on a computer DISK
ref•or•mation /,refəˈmeɪʃənl‖-fər-/ n [C;U] (an) improvement; the act of reforming or state of being reformed: a complete reformation in his character
Reformation, the a period of religious changes in the 16th century in Europe, which led to the start of the Protestant churches. These changes were started by the German priest Martin LUTHER, and in England the Reformation was strongly supported by king HENRY VIII. → see also PROTESTANT
re-for-ma-to-ry¹ /ri'fo:materillri'fo:rmate:ri/ also reform school — n old use or AmE for COMMUNITY HOME
reformatory² also re·for·ma·tive /rɪˈfɔːmətɪv/ -ˈfɔːr-/. ad fml intended to produce reform
Re'form Club, the a GENTLEMAN'S CLUB in PALL MALL, London, which was originally a club for members of the Liberal Party.
re·form·ist /rɪˈfɔːmʒst/ adj, n (a person) in favour of, of suggesting (especially political) REFORM
re'form school n AmE for COMMUNITY HOME
refract /rɪˈfrækt/ v [T] (of water, glass etc) to cause (light) to change direction when passing through at an angle —~ion /rɪˈfræk/n/ n [U] Refraction makes a straight stick look ben if it is partly in water.
refracting, telescope n a TELESCOPE (=an instrument for seeing distant objects) in which the image is refracted by passing through a LENS (a piece of glass) → compara REFLECTING TELESCOPE
re·frac·to·ry /ri'fræktəri/ adj fml derog disobedient and trou
blesome: a refractory horse
re·frain¹ /ri'frein/ v [l(from)] fml to hold oneself back from doing something; not do: Please refrain from smoking.
refrain $ ^{2} $ n 1 a part of a song that is repeated, especially at the end of each VERSE 2 often derog a remark or idea that is often repeated; Our proposal met with the familiar refrain that the company could not afford such a big investment.
re-fresh /rɪˈfreʃ/ v 1 [T] to make less hot or tired; bring back strength and freshness to: A shower will refresh you. | H refreshed himself with a glass of beer. 2 [ˈlɜːr] (of compute OUTPUT) to provide again; UPDATE: This display will not refresh (itself) till you repeat the command. 3 refresh one memory to cause oneself to remember again: I looked at the map to refresh my memory of the route. 4 refreshes the parts other beers cannot reach a phrase used in advertisements for HEINEKEN, a well-known LAGER, now often use humorously:
re'fresher course n a training course given to bring someone's knowledge up to date, especially knowledge needed for a job: They're holding/attending a refresher course on modern teaching methods.
re-freshing /rr'freʃɪŋ/ adj aprec 1 producing a feeling of comfort and new strength: a very refreshing sleep 2 pleasantly new and interesting: It's refreshing to see a film that isn't full of sex and violence. ︷ly adv
re-fresh-ment /riˈfreʃmənt/ n [U] 1 (the experience of being refreshed 2 food and drink: We worked all day without refreshment.
re·fresh·ments /ri'freʃmənts/ n [P] food and drinks served as a light meal: Refreshments will be served after the meeting
re-fried beans /,ri'firaid 'binz/ n [P] PINTO BEANS whic have been boiled and then crushed and fried (FRY), often with onions; usually eaten with Mexican food
re-fri-ge-rant /ri'frid3erənt/ n a substance that is used t
refrigerate, such as solid CARBON DIOXIDE
re·fri·ge·rate /rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪt/ v [T] to make (food, liquid etc) cold as a way of preserving it: refrigerated meat — ratio /rɪˈfrɪdʒəˈreɪʃən/ n [U] The meat was kept under refrigeration.
re-fri-ge-ra-tor /ri'frid3areitər/ n BrE fml or AmE for FRIDGE
re,frigerator-'freezer n BrE fml & AmE for FRIDGE-FREEZER
re-fuel /,ri:fjuəl/ v -ll- BrE || -l- AmE [|;T] to (cause to) fill u again with FUEL: The aircraft refuelled/They refuelled th aircraft at Cairo. \ a refuelling stop
ref·uge /'refju:dʒ/ n [C;U(from)] (a place that provides) protection or shelter from danger: a mountain refuge for climbers The political dissidents sought/took refuge abroad.
ref-u-gee /,refju'dzi:/ n someone who has been forced to leave their country for political reasons or during a war Refugees are becoming a political problem in many European countries. Some governments think that many people