reflectors
Surfaces returning light
Reflectors are surfaces or devices designed to bounce back light, sound, or other energy.
The most familiar are the small, often red or orange plastic pieces on bicycles and road signs that catch headlights and glow brightly at night.
Reflectors work by redirecting incoming rays back toward their source, making objects visible in low light.
The term extends to anything that reflects: a telescope's mirror, a radar dish, or metaphorically, a person whose work mirrors the ideas of others.
Given reflective coating
- glassTransparent solid from sand
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
- surfaceOutermost boundary layer
- concaveCurving inward, not outward
convex · plane · image · rearview · vanity · periscope · parabolic · spherical
Reflects toward light source
- high-visibilityEasily seen from distance
- vestSleeveless upper-body garment
- tapeAdhesive strip on roll
- stripesParallel linear markings
bicycle · helmet · cones · roadwork · crossing guard · pavement markings · delineator · bollard
Guiding light source
- lighthouseCoastal beacon tower
- buoyTethered nautical signal
- flareSudden bright burst
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
marker · warning · indicator · flasher · heliograph · emergency · search and rescue · SOS
Light-focusing curved glass
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- refractionWave bending between media
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- focalOf a central point
telescope · microscope · spectroscope · binoculars · light · dispersion · parabolic · collimator
Studio light diffusion enclosure
- diffuserDevice that scatters evenly
- umbrellaHandheld rain shelter
- bounceSpring back after impact
- flashBrief burst of light
studio · fill light · catchlight · gold · silver · white · collapsible · gobo
Reflective pavement markers
- lane markersPainted traffic dividers
- highwayMajor road for travel
- signagePosted public displays
- headlightsFront vehicle lamps
guardrail · chevrons · intersection · median · rumble strips · overhead signs · bridge · tunnel
silvered
Given reflective coating
- glassTransparent solid from sand
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
- surfaceOutermost boundary layer
concave · convex · plane · image · rearview · vanity · periscope · parabolic · spherical · curved
retroreflective
Reflects toward light source
- high-visibilityEasily seen from distance
- vestSleeveless upper-body garment
- tapeAdhesive strip on roll
stripes · bicycle · helmet · cones · roadwork · crossing guard · pavement markings · delineator · bollard · barriers
beacon
Guiding light source
- lighthouseCoastal beacon tower
- buoyTethered nautical signal
- flareSudden bright burst
distress · marker · warning · indicator · flasher · heliograph · emergency · search and rescue · SOS · Morse
lens
Light-focusing curved glass
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- refractionWave bending between media
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
focal · telescope · microscope · spectroscope · binoculars · light · dispersion · parabolic · collimator · beam
softbox
Studio light diffusion enclosure
flash · studio · fill light · catchlight · gold · silver · white · collapsible · gobo · snoot
cat's eyes
Reflective pavement markers
- lane markersPainted traffic dividers
- highwayMajor road for travel
- signagePosted public displays
headlights · guardrail · chevrons · intersection · median · rumble strips · overhead signs · bridge · tunnel · exit ramp
- cyclingbikes, bicycles, cycling, cyclist, cyclists
- safetysafety helmet, hazard, airbag, alert, occupational safety
- bike safetybike helmet, bike lights, hand signals, visibility, brakes
- night drivingheadlights, high beams, low beams, taillights, night vision
- bike wheelswheel, rim, tire, spoke, hub
- Studio Lightingkey light, fill light, back light, backlight, kicker
reflectorslight sources
Things emitting brightness
emitters · lamps · lights · illuminators · bulbs
reflectorstransmitters
Devices that send signals
lenses · windows · clear glass · prisms · fiber optics
- safety reflectorLight-bouncing visibility aid
- parabolic reflectorCurved surface focusing signals
- bike reflectorBicycle visibility device
- road reflectorEmbedded lane guide
- heat reflectorSurface redirecting radiant warmth
- radar reflectorDevice returning radio signals