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reflex act

 - 6 dictionary results

re⋅flex

  [adj., n. ree-fleks; v. ri-fleks]
Use reflex act in a Sentence
–adjective
1. Physiology. noting or pertaining to an involuntary response to a stimulus, the nerve impulse from a receptor being transmitted inward to a nerve center that in turn transmits it outward to an effector.
2. occurring in reaction; responsive.
3. cast back; reflected, as light, color, etc.
4. bent or turned back.
5. designating a radio apparatus in which the same circuit or part performs two functions.
–noun
6. Physiology.
a. Also called reflex act. movement caused by a reflex response.
b. Also called reflex action. the entire physiological process activating such movement.
7. any automatic, unthinking, often habitual behavior or response.
8. the reflection or image of an object, as exhibited by a mirror or the like.
9. a reproduction, as if in a mirror.
10. a copy; adaptation.
11. reflected light, color, etc.
12. Historical Linguistics. an element in a language, as a sound, that has developed from a corresponding element in an earlier form of the language: The (ō) in “stone” is a reflex of Old English ā.
13. a reflex radio receiver.
14. a reflex camera.
–verb (used with object)
15. to subject to a reflex process.
16. to bend, turn, or fold back.
17. to arrange in a reflex system.
Origin:
1500–10; < L reflexus bent back, ptp. of reflectere to reflect

Related forms:
re⋅flex⋅ly, adverb
re⋅flex⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Cultural Dictionary

reflex

An action or movement not controlled by conscious thought. A reflex may be anything from a hiccup to the involuntary response of a body part, such as the action that occurs in the knee-jerk reflex.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

reflex  (n.)
1508, "reflection of light," from the verb meaning "refract, deflect" (c.1380), from L.L. reflexus "a bending back," prop. pp. of reflectere (see reflection). Meaning "involuntary nerve stimulation" first recorded 1877, from reflex action (1833). Reflexology as a psychological theory is attested from 1927 (from Ger. reflexologie, 1912); as a foot massage technique, first recorded 1976.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2reflex
Function: adjective
1 : bent, turned, or directed back : REFLECTED
2 : of, relating to, or produced by a reflex without intervention of consciousness
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

reflex re·flex (rē'flěks')
n.

  1. An involuntary physiological response to a stimulus.

  2. An unlearned or instinctive response to a stimulus.

  3. Something, such as light or heat, that is reflected.

adj.

  1. Being an involuntary action or response, such as a sneeze, blink, or hiccup.

  2. Bent, turned, or thrown back; reflected.

v. re·flexed, re·flex·ing, re·flex·es (rĭ-flěks')

  1. To cause to undergo a reflex process.

  2. To reflect.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
reflex   (rē'flěks')  Pronunciation Key 

  1. An involuntary physiological response to a stimulus, as the withdrawal of a body part from burning heat.

  2. An unlearned or instinctive response to a stimulus. Also called unconditioned response. See more at classical conditioning.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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