different between reflect vs intend

English

Etymology

From Old French reflecter (“to bend back, turn back”), from Latin reflect? (“I reflect”), from re- (“again”) + flect? (“I bend, I curve”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???fl?kt/
• Rhymes: -?kt

Verb

reflect (third-person singular simple present reflects, present participle reflecting, simple past and past participle reflected)

1. (transitive) To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface.

   A mirror reflects the light that shines on it.

2. (intransitive) To be bent back (light, etc.) from a surface.

   The moonlight reflected from the surface of water.

3. (transitive) To mirror, or show the image of something.

   The shop window reflected his image as he walked past.

4. (intransitive) To be mirrored.

   His image reflected from the shop window as he walked past.

5. (transitive) To agree with; to closely follow.

   Entries in English dictionaries aim to reflect common usage.

6. (transitive) To give evidence of someone's or something's character etc.

   The team's victory reflects the Captain's abilities.

   The teacher's ability reflects well on the school.
8. (intransitive) To think seriously; to ponder or consider.
   • 1985, Justin Richards, Option Lock, page 229:

     Not for the first time, he reflected that it was not so much the speeches that strained the nerves as the palaver that went with them.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:ponder

Derived terms

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English intenden, entenden (“direct (one’s) attention towards”), borrowed from Old French entendre, from Latin intendo, intendere. See also intensive.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?t?nd/
• Rhymes: -?nd

Verb

intend (third-person singular simple present intends, present participle intending, simple past and past participle intended)

1. (transitive, intransitive, usually followed by the particle "to") To hope; to wish (something, or something to be accomplished); be intent upon

   Synonyms: mean, design, plan, purpose

2. To fix the mind on; attend to; take care of; superintend; regard.
3. (obsolete) To stretch to extend; distend.
4. To strain; make tense.
5. (obsolete) To intensify; strengthen.
   • , Bk.I, New York, 2001, p.139:

     Dotage, fatuity, or folly […] is for the most part intended or remitted in particular men, and thereupon some are wiser than others […].

6. To apply with energy.
7. To bend or turn; direct, as one’s course or journey.
8. To design mechanically or artistically; fashion; mold.
9. To pretend; counterfeit; simulate.

Usage notes

• This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See Appendix:English catenative verbs

Synonyms

• mean, mint (UK dialect), foremind (obsolete)

Related terms

• intense
• intensive
• intent
• intention
• intension

Translations

Anagrams

• Dinnet, dentin, indent, tinned