1. To change course because of hitting something, or change something's course by coming into contact with it: The golf ball was deflected from its direction towards the hole by suddenly swerving to the side of it!
2. To turn aside or cause to turn aside; to bend or to deviate: Jim was able to deflect being hit by the ball by moving quickly to the side.
3. To direct a person's attention or criticism away from a subject or issue to something else: Patty tried to deflect her friend from noticing the pimple on her nose by wearing her prettiest dress.
4. To force someone to change what he or she is doing or planning to do: The fire deflected the new owners from moving into their newly-built home.