DEFLECT

parry, block, deflect

(verb) impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); “block an attack”

distract, deflect

(verb) draw someone’s attention away from something; “The thief distracted the bystanders”; “He deflected his competitors”

deflect

(verb) turn aside and away from an initial or intended course

deflect, bend, turn away

(verb) turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest

debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off

(verb) prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; “Let’s avoid a confrontation”; “head off a confrontation”; “avert a strike”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

deflect (third-person singular simple present deflects, present participle deflecting, simple past and past participle deflected)

(transitive) To make (something) deviate from its original path.

(transitive, ball games) To touch the ball, often unwittingly, after a shot or a sharp pass, thereby making it unpredictable for the other players.

(intransitive) To deviate from its original path.

(transitive, figuratively) To avoid addressing (questions, criticism, etc.).

Synonym: elude

(transitive, figuratively) To divert (attention, etc.).

Anagrams

• clefted

Source: Wiktionary

De*flect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deflected; p. pr. & vb. n. Deflecting.] Etym: [L. deflectere; de- + flectere to bend or turn. See Flexible.]

Definition: 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.

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition