reflex

[adj., n. ree-fleks; v. ri-fleks] /adj., n. ˈri flɛks; v. 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.
noun
6.
Physiology.
  1. Also called reflex act. movement caused by a reflex response.
  2. Also called reflex action. the entire physiological process activating such movement.
7.
any automatic, unthinking, often habitual behavior or response.
8.
the reflection or image of an object, as exhibited by a mirror or the like.
9.
a reproduction, as if in a mirror.
10.
a copy; adaptation.
11.
reflected light, color, etc.
12.
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.
13.
a reflex radio receiver.
14.
a reflex camera.
verb (used with object)
15.
to subject to a reflex process.
16.
to bend, turn, or fold back.
17.
to arrange in a reflex system.
Origin
1500-10; < Latin reflexus bent back, past participle of reflectere to reflect
Related forms
reflexly, adverb
reflexness, noun
multireflex, noun
semireflex, noun
Examples from the web for reflex
  • The hardball approach of his defenders is in large part a reflex of this loss of prestige and authority.
  • Studies in animals have shown that signals from this nerve can control the new bladder reflex.
  • It is a thick brown sludge, gritty and triggering an immediate gag reflex.
  • Other evidence suggests that fear and the threat of danger trigger the cremasteric reflex.
  • Most of all, it means adopting the reflex of openness in public affairs.
  • There are increased reflexes at the joints, but there may be a loss of the gag reflex.
  • Sneeze: to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth, especially as a reflex act.
  • It's believed to act on sigma receptors, which can regulate the cough reflex.
  • Among baseball people it is a reflex to praise the little things.
  • Stabbing those who annoyed him soon became a reflex.
British Dictionary definitions for reflex

reflex

noun (ˈriːflɛks)
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): a reflex action See also reflex arc
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"
adjective (ˈriːflɛks)
5.
(maths) (of an angle) between 180° and 360°
6.
(prenominal) turned, reflected, or bent backwards
verb (rɪˈflɛks)
7.
(transitive) to bend, turn, or reflect backwards
Derived Forms
reflexible, adjective
reflexibility, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin reflexus bent back, from reflectere to reflect
Word Origin and History for reflex
n.

c.1500, "reflection of light," from verb reflex meaning "refract, deflect" (late 14c.), from Late Latin reflexus "a bending back," noun use of past participle of reflectere (see reflection). Meaning "involuntary nerve stimulation" first recorded 1877, from reflex action (1833).

reflex in Medicine

reflex re·flex (rē'flěks')
n.

  1. An involuntary physiological response to a stimulus.

  2. An unlearned or instinctive response to a stimulus.

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

adj.

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

  2. Bent, turned, or thrown back; reflected.

v. re·flexed, re·flex·ing, re·flex·es (rĭ-flěks')

  1. To cause to undergo a reflex process.

  2. To reflect.

reflex in Science
reflex
  (rē'flěks')   

  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. Also called unconditioned response. See more at classical conditioning.


reflex in Culture

reflex definition


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.