Turning something away from its original course; avoiding or redirecting a question or criticism.
From Latin 'deflectere' combining 'de-' (away) and 'flectere' (to bend). Entered English in the 1600s with both physical and metaphorical meanings.
In psychology, deflection is a defense mechanism where people redirect blame or avoid uncomfortable truths—understanding this helps explain why conversations get sidetracked.
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