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]

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]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

deflect
    v 1: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's
         avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert
         a strike" [syn: debar, forefend, forfend, obviate,
         deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off,
         avoid, ward off]
    2: turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of
       interest [syn: deflect, bend, turn away]
    3: turn aside and away from an initial or intended course
    4: draw someone's attention away from something; "The thief
       distracted the bystanders"; "He deflected his competitors"
       [syn: distract, deflect]
    5: impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an
       attack" [syn: parry, block, deflect]