Reflectional

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. The quality of exhibiting an image or light back encompasses both the literal reflection of surfaces like mirrors and the metaphorical reflection involved in self-analysis and thought evaluation
2. This characteristic includes the physical act of bouncing back light or images along with the introspective process of considering one’s thoughts and feelings
3. Pertaining to the return of light or images from a surface ; connected to the process of thoughtful consideration or contemplation

Etymology: "Reflectional" is a plain formation: the noun "reflection" with the adjective-forming suffix "-al" added to it, producing a word meaning "of or relating to reflection." The base noun "reflection" comes from Latin "reflectere," meaning "to bend back," built from "re-" (back) and "flectere" (to bend), and the image sense of a surface sending back light or likeness came first, with the mental sense of turning thought back on itself following from it. The suffix "-al" is the common English ending that turns nouns into adjectives, as in "national" or "natural," so the new word adds nothing beyond that grammatical step.