reflex
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.
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.
to subject to a reflex process.
to bend, turn, or fold back.
to arrange in a reflex system.
Origin of reflex
1Other words from reflex
- re·flex·ly, adverb
- re·flex·ness, noun
- mul·ti·re·flex, noun
- sem·i·re·flex, noun
Words Nearby reflex
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use reflex in a sentence
His team, attempting to create and erase a memory in aplysia, periodically delivered mild electric shocks to train the mollusk to prolong a reflex, one where it withdraws, upon touch, its siphon, a little breathing tube between the gill and the tail.
Memories Can Be Injected and Survive Amputation and Metamorphosis - Facts So Romantic | Marco Altamirano | October 20, 2020 | NautilusGlanzman’s team went back to their aplysia and trained them over two days to prolong their siphon-withdrawal reflex.
Memories Can Be Injected and Survive Amputation and Metamorphosis - Facts So Romantic | Marco Altamirano | October 20, 2020 | NautilusWhat’s more, the snakes have hackedtheir prey’s natural escape reflexes.
‘Great Adaptations’ unravels mysteries of amazing animal abilities | Erin Garcia de Jesus | October 12, 2020 | Science NewsThat’s why a snapping twig can activate the fight-or-flight reflexes that make us scream.
The position of the testes is a reflex controlled by the cremaster muscle, which brings them closer to the body in colder temperatures to maintain the warmth needed for sperm production.
But when a serial sex predator is playing fanboy, the gag reflex kicks in.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking | M.L. Nestel | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWorry has become as automatic a reflex as breathing in your sleep.
The Israeli App Red Alert Saves Lives—but It Just Might Drive You Nuts | Itay Hod | July 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThen 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 Real Wolf of Wall Street: Jordan Belfort’s Vulgar Memoirs | Jimmy So | December 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe 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.
A Statistical Inquiry Into the Nature and Treatment of Epilepsy | Alexander Hughes BennettIt came, I think, out of just such an automatic reflex as causes an "opening" in conversation to call forth its own obvious reply.
In Accordance with the Evidence | Oliver OnionsThe reflex action on his sensitive mind first stunned, and then warped his senses.
Etidorhpa or the End of Earth. | John Uri LloydSuch a physiological relation of things is termed reflex action.
Voice Production in Singing and Speaking | Wesley Mills
British Dictionary definitions for reflex
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): a reflex action See also reflex arc
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"
maths (of an angle) between 180° and 360°
(prenominal) turned, reflected, or bent backwards
(tr) to bend, turn, or reflect backwards
Origin of reflex
1Derived forms of reflex
- reflexible, adjective
- reflexibility, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for 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 New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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