On: A Norwegian town built a giant mirror to deflect t...

[Johnny555]

Deflect (verb) cause (something) to change direction by interposing something; turn aside from a straight course. "the bullet was deflected harmlessly into the ceiling"

[intertextuality → Johnny555]

Although you are correct and GP was mistaken in their definition, `reflect` fits better here.

Definition of reflect

transitive verb 1 : to prevent passage of and cause to change direction

// a mirror reflects light

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Definition of deflect

transitive verb : to turn (something) aside especially from a straight course or fixed direction

// armor that deflects bullets, deflecting a question

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With deflect, something is simply being diverted, whereas with reflect, it's more intentionally being aimed somewhere. This is the nuance I feel innately, although at this point we're splitting hairs I think.

[function_seven → intertextuality]

Yeah. Tough questions are deflected. Glory is reflected.

Deflection is typically used when the would-be target is protected from the incoming object. Reflection is when the never-was target is now a target.

[Johnny555 → intertextuality]

Although you are correct and GP was mistaken in their definition, `reflect` fits better here.

I don't see why deflect isn't acceptable. Previously the sun was shining on the hillside below, now it's been deflected to the town square.

[sergioj97 → Johnny555]

What I understood is just that reflect seems to fit better here, given the most common use cases for the word.

[kwhitefoot → Johnny555]

deflect is not appropriate in that sentence because it means that the sun itself would be moved.