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reflex
[ adjective noun ree-fleks; verb ri-fleks ]
adjective
- 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.
- occurring in reaction; responsive.
- cast back; reflected, as light, color, etc.
- bent or turned back.
- designating a radio apparatus in which the same circuit or part performs two functions.
noun
- Physiology.
- Also called reflex act. movement caused by a reflex response.
- Also called reflex action. the entire physiological process activating such movement.
- any automatic, unthinking, often habitual behavior or response.
- the reflection or image of an object, as exhibited by a mirror or the like.
- a reproduction, as if in a mirror.
- a copy; adaptation.
- reflected light, color, etc.
- 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.
- a reflex radio receiver.
- a reflex camera.
verb (used with object)
- to subject to a reflex process.
- to bend, turn, or fold back.
- to arrange in a reflex system.
reflex
noun
- an immediate involuntary response, esp one that is innate, such as coughing or removal of the hand from a hot surface, evoked by a given stimulus
- ( as modifier ) See also reflex arc
a reflex action
- a mechanical response to a particular situation, involving no conscious decision
- ( as modifier )
a reflex response
- a reflection; an image produced by or as if by reflection
- a speech element derived from a corresponding form in an earlier state of the language
"sorrow" is a reflex of Middle English "sorwe"
adjective
- maths (of an angle) between 180° and 360°
- prenominal turned, reflected, or bent backwards
verb
- tr to bend, turn, or reflect backwards
reflex
/ rē′flĕks′ /
- An involuntary physiological response to a stimulus, as the withdrawal of a body part from burning heat.
- An unlearned or instinctive response to a stimulus.
- Also called unconditioned response
- See more at classical conditioning
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 .
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Derived Forms
- reˌflexiˈbility, noun
- reˈflexible, adjective
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Other Words From
- reflex·ly adverb
- reflex·ness noun
- multi·reflex noun
- semi·reflex noun
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of reflex1
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Example Sentences
But when a serial sex predator is playing fanboy, the gag reflex kicks in.
Worry has become as automatic a reflex as breathing in your sleep.
Then came the moment when a reflex born of a lifetime with a badge caused him to check the door window at the end of the car.
He is quite a bundle of stimulus and reflex, with no reflection.
The term Affluenza caused a national gag reflex—and as a doctor I can assure you that, no, Affluenza is not a real affliction.
Even if I were to be shot, the reflex action of my fingers would pull the trigger of this revolver and McGinty will die.
The reflex excitability is lowered and the sensibility diminished.
It came, I think, out of just such an automatic reflex as causes an "opening" in conversation to call forth its own obvious reply.
The reflex action on his sensitive mind first stunned, and then warped his senses.
Such a physiological relation of things is termed reflex action.
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