definitions

reflex

[ adjective, noun ree-fleks; verb ri-fleks ]
/ adjective, noun ˈri flɛks; verb rɪˈflɛks /
|

adjective

noun

verb (used with object)

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Nearby words

reflectivity, reflectometer, reflector, reflectorize, reflet, reflex, reflex angle, reflex arc, reflex camera, reflex cough, reflex epilepsy

Origin of reflex

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

Related forms

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for reflex-action

  • Even the psychologist with his reflex-action theory does not solve the whole problem.

    The Book of Khalid|Ameen Rihani

British Dictionary definitions for reflex-action

reflex

noun (ˈriːflɛks)

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

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

Medicine definitions for reflex-action

reflex

[ rē′flĕks′ ]

n.

adj.

Being an involuntary action or response, such as a sneeze, blink, or hiccup.
Bent, turned, or thrown back; reflected.

v.

To cause to undergo a reflex process.
To reflect.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for reflex-action

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.

Culture definitions for reflex-action

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.