The spelling of "was deflected" is phonetically transcribed as /wɑz dɪˈflɛktɪd/. The first sound /w/ represents the voiced labio-velar approximant, followed by the short vowel sound /ɑ/. The second word is comprised of the voiced alveolar plosive /d/ and the short vowel sound /ɪ/. The third syllable includes the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/, followed by the voiced velar plosive /g/. The final syllable is composed of the alveolar lateral approximant /l/, the mid-front vowel /ɛ/, the voiceless velar plosive /k/, the voiceless dental fricative /t/, and the voiced alveolar plosive /d/.
Was deflected is a passive verb phrase used to describe the action of diverting or changing the direction of something that was in motion. It refers to the act of causing an object, such as a projectile, to deviate from its original course or trajectory due to the influence of an external force or obstacle.
When an object is deflected, it implies that it is being redirected from its intended path or target. This can occur as a result of various factors, such as the intervention of another object, the impact of an opposing force, or the occurrence of a sudden change in the environment.
The phrase "was deflected" emphasizes that the redirection or deviation occurred in the past and was not deliberate or voluntary. It suggests that the object's original trajectory was altered unexpectedly or unintentionally.
For example, if a ball thrown towards a target is suddenly hit by a strong gust of wind, causing it to change its course and miss the target, it can be said that the ball "was deflected" by the wind. Similarly, if a bullet fired from a firearm is struck by a solid obstacle, causing it to deviate from its intended path, it can be said that the bullet "was deflected" by the obstructing object.
The word deflected is derived from the verb deflect, which originated from the Latin word deflectere. Deflectere is a combination of the prefix de- meaning away or off, and flectere meaning to bend or to turn. Therefore, deflect originally meant to turn away or to bend off. Over time, the suffix -ed was added to form the past tense, resulting in was deflected.