retroflex

[ re-truh-fleks ]

/ ˈrɛ trəˌflɛks /

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adjective

bent backward; exhibiting retroflexion.

Phonetics. articulated with the tip of the tongue curled upward and back against or near the juncture of the hard and soft palates; cacuminal; cerebral; coronal.

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Also ret·ro·flexed

[re-truh-flekst]. /ˈrɛ trəˌflɛkst/.

Origin of retroflex

First recorded in 1910–15, retroflex is from the Latin word retrōflexus (past participle of retrōflectere to bend back). See retro-, flex¹

Words nearby retroflex

retrochoir, retrocognate, retrodirective, retrofire, retrofit, retroflex, retroflexion, retrofocus lens, retrogradation, retrograde, retrograde amnesia

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

How to use retroflex in a sentence

The retroflex sibilant is transliterated sh; this was unchanged.
Chips from a German Workshop - Volume IV|Max Mller
This curve shows a point of maximum temperature at F1, and a retroflex portion F1G1.
The Phase Rule and Its Applications|Alexander Findlay
This curve also shows a point of maximum temperature (F) and a retroflex portion.
The Phase Rule and Its Applications|Alexander Findlay

British Dictionary definitions for retroflex

retroflex

retroflexed

/ (ˈrɛtrəʊˌflɛks) /

adjective

bent or curved backwards

phonetics of, relating to, or involving retroflexion

Word Origin for retroflex

C18: from Latin retrōflexus, from retrōflectere, from retro- + flectere to bend

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