knee jerk

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noun

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

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Origin of knee jerk

First recorded in 1875–80

Words nearby knee jerk

knee-deep, knee drop, knee-high, knee-high to a grasshopper, kneehole, knee jerk, knee-jerk reflex, kneel, knee-length, kneeler, kneeling bus

Other definitions for knee jerk (2 of 2)

knee-jerk

[ nee-jurk ]

/ ˈniˌdʒɜrk /

adjective

of or relating to a knee-jerk.

Informal. reacting according to a certain habitual manner; unthinking: a knee-jerk liberal.

Origin of knee-jerk

First recorded in 1895–1900

How to use knee jerk in a sentence

As you may know, Sundog has a knee jerk aversion to athleticism and technology.
Cross-Country Skiers Have Ruined My Dog Walks|Sundog|April 3, 2021|Outside Online
You write a lot about how you were a jerk or a snob when it came to comedy or film.
Patton Oswalt on Fighting Conservatives With Satire|William O’Connor|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Emetophobia tends to compromise my relationships, turning me into a selfish jerk.
Why My Norovirus Panic Makes Me Sick|Lizzie Crocker|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
What they found was that most people preferred to work with the lovable fool rather than the competent jerk.
The Case Against In-Your-Face Atheism|Steve Neumann|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

“Either this or stay home and jerk off,” said one guy when I asked why he came tonight.
The Craziest Date Night for Single Jews, Where Mistletoe Is Ditched for Shots|Emily Shire|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Do you think of power suits for men and knee-covering skirts for women?
Glenn Beck Is Now Selling Hipster Clothes. Really.|Ana Marie Cox|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That his friend had withdrawn, was a pledge of his pacific wishes; and, with a lightened countenance, Louis rose from his knee.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
To drop on one knee and level his piece was the work of an instant, but unfortunately he snapped a dry twig in doing so.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
Her left knee was supported on pillows, and the bed-clothes were raised away from it, for it could tolerate no weight whatever.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
With a low moan her head sunk upon the old man's knee, and she shook and trembled with violent emotion.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
As the expression, "every knee shall bow to me," cannot be confined to that alone, so neither can that which immediately follows.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham

British Dictionary definitions for knee jerk

knee jerk

noun

Also called: patellar reflex physiol an outward reflex kick of the lower leg caused by a sharp tap on the quadriceps tendon just below the patella

adjective kneejerk

made or occurring as a predictable and automatic response, without thoughtkneejerk support

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

knee jerk

Origin of knee jerk

Words nearby knee jerk

Other definitions for knee jerk (2 of 2)

Origin of knee-jerk

Words related to knee jerk

How to use knee jerk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for knee jerk