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3 : to bring as a result <~ed credit on him>

4 : to cast reproach or blame

5 : PONDER, MEDITATE

— re·flec·tiv·ity noun

re·flec·tion noun : a thought, idea, or opinion formed or a remark made as a result of meditation

Synonyms

comment, note, observation, remark—more at REMARK

re·flec·tive adjective : marked by reflection

Synonyms

contemplative, meditative, melancholy, pensive, ruminant, thoughtful—more at CONTEMPLATIVE

re·flec·tor noun : one that reflects; especially : a polished surface for reflecting radiation (as light)

1reflex noun 1 : an automatic and usu. inborn response to a stimulus not involving higher mental centers

2 plural : the power of acting or responding with enough speed

2reflex adjective 1 : bent or directed back

2 : of, relating to, or produced by a reflex

— re·flex·ly adverb

1reflexive adjective : of or relating to an action directed back upon the doer or the grammatical subject

— re·flex·ive·ly adverb

— re·flex·ive·ness noun

2reflexive noun : a reflexive verb or pronoun

re·flex·ol·o·gy noun : massage in which pressure is applied to specific points on the hands or feet

re·flux noun : a flowing back

re·fo·cus verb 1 : to focus again

2 : to change the emphasis or direction of <~ed her life>

re·for·es·ta·tion noun : the action of renewing forest cover by planting seeds or young trees

— re·for·est verb

1reform verb 1 : to make better or improve by removal of faults

2 : to correct or improve one's own character or habits

— re·form·able adjective

Synonyms

[1] amend, correct, debug, emend, rectify, remedy—more at CORRECT

[2] reclaim, redeem, rehabilitate; also amend, improve; cleanse, purify, restore

2reform noun : improvement or correction of what is corrupt or defective

re–form verb : to form again

ref·or·ma·tion noun 1 : the act of reforming : the state of being reformed

2 cap : a 16th-century religious movement marked by the establishment of the Protestant churches

re·for·ma·tive adjective : intended or tending to reform

Synonyms

corrective, remedial—more at CORRECTIVE

1reformatory adjective : aiming at or tending toward reformation : REFORMATIVE

2reformatory noun, plural -ries : a penal institution for reforming esp. young or first offenders

re·form·er noun 1 : one that works for or urges reform

2 cap : a leader of the Protestant Reformation

refr abbreviation refraction

re·fract verb [ORIGIN: L refractus, pp. of refringere to break open, break up, fr. re- back + frangere to break]

: to subject to refraction

re·frac·tion noun : the bending of a ray (as of light) when it passes obliquely from one medium into another in which its speed is different

— re·frac·tive adjective

refractive index noun : the ratio of the speed of radiation in one medium to that in another medium

re·frac·to·ri·ness noun : the quality or state of being refractory

Synonyms

defiance, disobedience, insubordination, rebelliousness, recalcitrance, unruliness—more at DISOBEDIENCE

re·frac·to·ry adjective 1 : resisting control or authority

2 : capable of enduring high temperature <~ bricks>

— refractory noun

Synonyms

contrary, defiant, disobedient, froward, headstrong, intractable, rebellious, recalcitrant, uncontrollable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful—more at DISOBEDIENT

1refrain verb : to hold oneself back : FORBEAR

— re·frain·ment noun

Synonyms usually refrain from

abstain, forbear, forgo, keep—more at FORBEAR

2refrain noun : a phrase or verse recurring regularly in a poem or song

re·fresh verb 1 : to make or become fresh or fresher

2 : to revive by or as if by renewal of supplies <~ one's memory>

3 : to freshen up : restore to a state of newness or vitality

4 : to supply or take refreshment

— re·fresh·er noun

— re·fresh·ing·ly adverb

Synonyms

[1, 2, 3] freshen, recreate, regenerate, rejuvenate, renew, restore, revitalize, revive—more