reflex

American  

[ree-fleks, ri-fleks] / ˈri flɛks, rɪˈflɛks /

adjective

1. 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.

2. occurring in reaction; responsive.

3. cast back; reflected, as light, color, etc.

4. bent or turned back.

5. designating a radio apparatus in which the same circuit or part performs two functions.

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noun

1. Physiology.

   1. Also called reflex act.  movement caused by a reflex response.

   2. Also called reflex action.  the entire physiological process activating such movement.

2. any automatic, unthinking, often habitual behavior or response.

3. the reflection or image of an object, as exhibited by a mirror or the like.

4. a reproduction, as if in a mirror.

5. a copy; adaptation.

6. reflected light, color, etc.

7. 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.

8. a reflex radio receiver.

9. a reflex camera.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to a reflex process.

2. to bend, turn, or fold back.

3. to arrange in a reflex system.

reflex British  

noun

1. 1. 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

   2. ( as modifier ) See also reflex arc

      a reflex action

2. 1. a mechanical response to a particular situation, involving no conscious decision

   2. ( as modifier )

      a reflex response

3. a reflection; an image produced by or as if by reflection

4. a speech element derived from a corresponding form in an earlier state of the language

   "sorrow" is a reflex of Middle English "sorwe"

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adjective

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

2. (prenominal) turned, reflected, or bent backwards

verb

1. (tr) to bend, turn, or reflect backwards

reflex Scientific  

/ rē′flĕks′ /

1. An involuntary physiological response to a stimulus, as the withdrawal of a body part from burning heat.

2. An unlearned or instinctive response to a stimulus.

3. Also called unconditioned response

4. See more at classical conditioning

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reflex Cultural  

1. 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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Other Word Forms

• multireflex noun
• reflexibility noun
• reflexible adjective
• reflexly adverb
• reflexness noun
• semireflex noun

Etymology

Origin of reflex

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

Example Sentences

They were halfway down the bike path before Jonah’s mind kicked into gear, letting him think again instead of just acting on reflex.

From Literature

“I should think so. There’s a bump the size of a baseball where something hit you. You’re lucky the human body is prepared for emergencies. Have you ever heard of the diving reflex?”

From Literature

"We face a world situation that has changed and the institutions and practices and the reflexes that were honed and very successful in the past no longer are," he said.

From BBC

And, as had become almost a reflex for him, he thought once again of you, Olka.

From Literature

Stuttgart 'keeper Alexander Nuebel ensured the hosts claimed all three points with a superb reflex save from Bruno Ogbus in stoppage time.

From Barron's