reflex

[ adjective, noun ree-fleks; verb ri-fleks ]

/ adjective, noun ˈri flɛks; verb rɪˈflɛks /

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See synonyms for: reflex / reflexes on Thesaurus.com

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.

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Origin of reflex

1500–10; <Latin reflexus bent back, past participle of reflectere to reflect

OTHER WORDS FROM reflex

re·flex·ly, adverbre·flex·ness, nounmul·ti·re·flex, nounsem·i·re·flex, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use reflex in a sentence

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|DAILY BEAST
While this deferred action is controversial in the United States, in Mexico, what Obama did is universally popular.
Why Mexicans Are Enraged by Obama’s Big Tuesday Meeting|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This is where much of the action will be for anti-LGBT groups.
‘Only God’ Can Stop Gay Marriage|Tim Mak|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In 2008, Huckabee raised a little over $16 million, with less than $55,000 coming from political action committees.
Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen?|Lloyd Green|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The possibility that the same outcome could happen another way -- namely a guy asks me out -- keeps me from taking action.
Random Hook-Ups or Dry Spells: Why Millennials Flunk College Dating|Ellie Schaack|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Let the thought of self pass in, and the beauty of great action is gone, like the bloom from a soiled flower.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
He saw Gen. Braddock as he passed on to his defeat, and could give a succinct account of that sanguinary action.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The wisdom of a scribe cometh by his time of leisure: and he that is less in action, shall receive wisdom.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Words are often everywhere as the minute-hands of the soul, more important than even the hour-hands of action.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
The action was at first a little confusing to Edna, but she soon lent herself readily to the Creole's gentle caress.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

British Dictionary definitions for reflex

reflex

noun (ˈriːflɛks)

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"

adjective (ˈriːflɛks)

maths (of an angle) between 180° and 360°

(prenominal) turned, reflected, or bent backwards

verb (rɪˈflɛks)

(tr) to bend, turn, or reflect backwards

Derived forms of reflex

reflexible, adjectivereflexibility, noun

Word Origin for reflex

C16: from Latin reflexus bent back, from reflectere to reflect

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

Medical definitions for reflex

reflex

[ rē′flĕks′ ]

An involuntary physiological response to a stimulus.

An unlearned or instinctive response to a stimulus.

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

adj.

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

Bent, turned, or thrown back; reflected.

To cause to undergo a reflex process.

To reflect.

Scientific definitions for reflex

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.

Cultural definitions for reflex

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.

reflex

Origin of reflex

OTHER WORDS FROM reflex

Words related to reflex

How to use reflex in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for reflex

Derived forms of reflex

Word Origin for reflex

Medical definitions for reflex

Scientific definitions for reflex

Cultural definitions for reflex