Dictionary.com

retroflex

[ re-truh-fleks ]
/ ˈrɛ trəˌflɛks /

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.

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.
Question 1 of 13
How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?
gato/gata
cato/cata
gatto/gatta
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT
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

retrodeviation, retrodirective, retrodisplacement, retrofire, retrofit, retroflex, retroflexion, retrofocus lens, retrognathism, retrogradation, retrograde
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for retroflex

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