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knee jerk

 - 6 dictionary results

knee jerk

–noun
a reflex extension of the leg, caused by contraction of the quadriceps, resulting from a sharp tap on the patellar tendon; patellar reflex.

Origin:
1875–80

knee-jerk

[nee-jurk]
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to a knee-jerk.
2. Informal. reacting according to a certain habitual manner; unthinking: a knee-jerk liberal.

Origin:
1895–1900
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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knee jerk  
n.  A reflex contraction of the quadriceps muscle resulting in a sudden involuntary extension of the leg, produced by a sharp tap to the tendon below the patella; patellar reflex.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
knee-jerk

  1. mod.
    automatic; quick and without thought. : That was only a knee-jerk response. Pay no attention.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: knee jerk
Function: noun
: an involuntary forward jerk or kick produced by a light blow or sudden strain upon the patellar ligament of the knee that causes areflex contraction of the quadriceps muscle called also patellar reflex
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

knee jerk n.
See patellar reflex.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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