mirror

Everyday

1. A mirror is a piece of special glass with a shiny back in which you can see yourself and things behind you. tree →
2. To mirror something is to copy it exactly or show it like a reflection. tree →
3. A mirror image is a reflection where left and right are swapped. tree →
4. In fairy tales, a magic mirror can talk and answer questions. tree →

In the lessons

In science, a mirror reflects light: light bounces off at the same angle it hits; this is how periscopes work. Cars have rear-view and wing mirrors so drivers can see behind. In maths, a mirror line (line of symmetry) splits a shape into two matching halves, and reflecting a shape in a mirror line is a transformation. Phrases: look in the mirror, mirror image, mirror line, rear-view mirror, smash a mirror.

Examples

• She looked at herself in the mirror. tree →
• A mirror reflects light. tree →
• Draw the mirror image of the shape. tree →
• The mirror line cuts the butterfly into two equal halves. tree →
• Check the mirror before you change lanes. tree →
• Her face mirrored her mother's. tree →
• Writing looks back to front in a mirror. tree →
• and the mirror answered as before: tree →

Note

Spelling: mi-rr-or, double r. In a mirror, left and right are swapped, so writing looks reversed. Broken mirror glass is very sharp; tell an adult. Some say breaking a mirror brings seven years' bad luck — this is only a superstition.

In Jewish tradition

The laver of the Tabernacle was made from the bronze mirrors of the women who served at the tent of meeting.

Interpretation. Rashi says Moses at first refused the mirrors as tools of vanity, but God told him to accept them because they had helped to bring children into Israel in Egypt.

Examples

• And he made the laver of brass, and the base thereof of brass, of the mirrors of the serving women that did service at the door of the tent of meeting. (Torah EXO.38.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Canst thou with Him spread out the sky, which is strong as a molten mirror? (Writings JOB.37.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: mi-rr-or, double r. In a mirror, left and right are swapped, so writing looks reversed. Broken mirror glass is very sharp; tell an adult. Some say breaking a mirror brings seven years' bad luck — this is only a superstition.

Meaning