reflex Hear it!

reflex Definition

re·flex (rē′fleks′; for v., also ri fleks′)

noun

    1. reflection, as of light
    2. light or color resulting from reflection
  2. a reflected image, likeness, or reproduction
    1. Physiol. a reflex action
    2. any quick, automatic or habitual response
    3. ability to react quickly and effectively a boxer with good reflexes

Etymology: < L reflexus, reflected, pp. of reflectere: see reflect

adjective

  1. turned, bent, or reflected back
    1. coming in reaction or reflection a reflex effect
    2. Physiol. designating or of an involuntary action, as a sneeze, resulting from a stimulus that is carried by an afferent nerve to a nerve center and the response that is reflected along an efferent nerve to some muscle or gland
  3. Electronics designating or of a device, circuit, etc. that has two different functions
  4. Geom. designating an angle greater than a straight angle (180°)

transitive verb

  1. to bend, turn, or fold back
  2. to cause to undergo a reflex process

reflex Related Forms

re′·flexly adverb

reflex Synonyms

reflex

modif.

mechanical, unthinking, habitual, involuntary; see automatic 2, spontaneous.

ReFLEX Telecom Definition

See FLEX.

reflex Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • lighten: Annakin ( Jake Lloyd ) is a young boy who has an aptitude for pod racing and possesses lightening quick reflexes.
  • sharpen: It's designed to speed up and sharpen reflexes and within just a few weeks your agility and aerobic fitness will increase.

Adjective modifier

  • postural: Damage can result in flexion dystonia, impaired postural reflexes.
  • laryngeal: Reasons for insertion may be due to the following: - Prolonged absence of laryngeal reflexes or ability to swallow.
  • primitive: These primitive reflexes should slowly be inhibited during the first year of life.
  • spinal: The spinal cord also contains parts of the circuits involved in spinal reflexes.
  • exaggerated: In serious cases the following symptoms are observed: high fever headache exaggerated reflexes reduced levels of consciousness and possibly coma.
  • protective: Note, need FAST system to respond, rapid protective reflexes.

Modifies a noun

  • dystrophy: One rare problem is called reflex sympathetic dystrophy or complex regional pain syndrome.
  • tachycardia: These drugs reduce blood pressure, resulting in a reflex tachycardia that may exacerbate angina.
  • arc: The iris is a good example of a reflex arc.
  • contraction: The head is violently displaced followed by reflex contraction in the opposite direction.
  • enclosure: Built-in Amp and Speakers The CR-4 comes equipped with two speakers in bass reflex enclosures, providing you with a lot of options.
  • seizure: Children suffering from reflex anoxic seizures ( RAS ) have repeated brief cardiac arrests.

Used with adjective complement

  • startle: Body movements may occur such as brief arm or leg movement or a startle reflex.
  • swallow: Many of the children had to be force fed as they had no swallow reflex.

Noun used with modifier

  • tendon: The jaw reflex was very brisk, there was no tendon reflexes in the limbs.
  • airway: There is some preservation of airway reflexes during anesthesia with this agent.
  • lightning: To save Planet Earth, you will need lightning reflexes and nerves of steel.
  • ankle: Assessment of ankle reflexes is of limited value in determining risk of ulceration.