mirror

[mir-er] /ˈmɪr ər/
noun
1.
a reflecting surface, originally of polished metal but now usually of glass with a silvery, metallic, or amalgam backing.
2.
such a surface set into a frame, attached to a handle, etc., for use in viewing oneself or as an ornament.
3.
any reflecting surface, as the surface of calm water under certain lighting conditions.
4.
Optics. a surface that is either plane, concave, or convex and that reflects rays of light.
5.
something that gives a minutely faithful representation, image, or idea of something else:
Gershwin's music was a mirror of its time.
6.
a pattern for imitation; exemplar:
a man who was the mirror of fashion.
7.
a glass, crystal, or the like, used by magicians, diviners, etc.
verb (used with object)
8.
to reflect in or as if in a mirror.
9.
to reflect as a mirror does.
10.
to mimic or imitate (something) accurately.
11.
to be or give a faithful representation, image, or idea of:
Her views on politics mirror mine completely.
adjective
12.
Music. (of a canon or fugue) capable of being played in retrograde or in inversion, as though read in a mirror placed beside or below the music.
Idioms
13.
with mirrors, by or as if by magic.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English mirour < Old French mireo(u)r, equivalent to mir- (see mirage) + -eo(u)r < Latin -ātor -ator
Related forms
mirrorlike, adjective
unmirrored, adjective
Can be confused
mere, mère, mirror.
Synonyms
6. model, epitome, paradigm.
Examples from the web for mirrors
  • mirrors of the past versions of history in science fiction and fantasy.
  • It mirrors the sword in the stone because it is usually found stuck in a pedestal.
  • Collodion is used in the cleaning of optics such as telescope mirrors.
  • This increase mirrors a similar increase across palm beach county.
  • In the same manner as the outflow from the aqueduct mirrors the brain expansion.
British Dictionary definitions for mirrors

mirror

/ˈmɪrə/
noun
1.
a surface, such as polished metal or glass coated with a metal film, that reflects light without diffusion and produces an image of an object placed in front of it
2.
such a reflecting surface mounted in a frame
3.
any reflecting surface
4.
a thing that reflects or depicts something else: the press is a mirror of public opinion
verb
5.
(transitive) to reflect, represent, or depict faithfully: he mirrors his teacher's ideals
Derived Forms
mirror-like, adjective
Word Origin
C13: from Old French from mirer to look at, from Latin mīrārī to wonder at
Word Origin and History for mirrors

mirror

n.

early 13c., from Old French mireoir "a reflecting glass, looking glass; observation, model, example," earlier miradoir (11c.), from mirer "look at" (oneself in a mirror), "observe, watch, contemplate," from Vulgar Latin *mirare "to look at," variant of Latin mirari "to wonder at, admire" (see miracle). Figurative usage is attested from c.1300. Used in divination since classical and biblical times; mirrors in modern England are the subject of at least 14 known superstitions, according to folklorists. Belief that breaking one brings bad luck is attested from 1777. The Spanish cognate, mirador (from mirar "to look, look at, behold"), has come to mean "watch tower." Mirror ball attested from 1968.

v.

"to reflect," 1590s, from mirror (n.). Related: Mirrored; mirroring. The Middle English verb mirouren (early 15c.) meant "to be a model" (for conduct, behavior, etc.), while miren (mid-14c., from Old French mirer) meant "to look in a mirror."

mirrors in Science
mirror
  (mĭr'ər)   
An object that causes light or other radiation to be reflected from its surface, with little or no diffusion. Common mirrors consist of a thin sheet or film of metal, such as silver, behind or covering a glass pane. Mirrors are used extensively in telescopes, microscopes, lasers, fiber optics, measuring instruments, and many other devices. See more at reflection.