deflection

1. act of turning aside
2. a twist or aberration; especially a perverse or abnormal way of judging or acting
3. the property of being bent or deflected
4. the amount by which a propagating wave is bent.

De*flec"tion (?), n. [L. deflexio, fr. deflectere: cf. F. d'eflexion.]

1.

The act of turning aside, or state of being turned aside; a turning from a right line or proper course; a bending, esp. downward; deviation.

The other leads to the same point, through certain deflections. Lowth.

2. Gunnery

The deviation of a shot or ball from its true course.

3. Opt.

A deviation of the rays of light toward the surface of an opaque body; inflection; diffraction.

4. Engin.

The bending which a beam or girder undergoes from its own weight or by reason of a load.

© Webster 1913.