From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
deflect \de*flect"\ (d[-e]*fl[e^]kt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Deflected; p. pr. & vb. n. Deflecting.] [L. deflectere;
de- + flectere to bend or turn. See Flexible.]
To cause to turn aside; to bend; as, rays of light are often
deflected; to deflect a punch; to deflect criticism by
acknowledging a mistake.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Sitting with their knees deflected under them. --Lord
(1630).
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Deflect \De*flect"\, v. i.
To turn aside; to deviate from a right or a horizontal line,
or from a proper position, course or direction; to swerve.
[1913 Webster]
At some part of the Azores, the needle deflecteth not,
but lieth in the true meridian. --Sir T.
Browne.
[1913 Webster]
To deflect from the line of truth and reason.
--Warburton.
[1913 Webster]