reflexive

The definition of reflexive is thinking deeply, or is a grammatical structure where the subject and object are the same person or thing and the verb is directed back at the subject.

(adjective)

  1. An example of something reflexive is a piece of art which makes the viewer ponder life.
  2. An example of a reflexive construction is in the phrase "Toby hurt himself."

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See reflexive in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. Rare
    1. reflex
    2. reflective
  2. having to do with the act or process of reflecting
  3. of or having to do with a thematic concern in a work of art, writing, etc., with the creative process of making or appreciating that work
  4. Gram.
    1. designating or expressing a grammatical relation in which a verb's subject and an object in the sentence refer to the same person or thing, serving to indicate that the action of the verb is directed back to the subject (Ex.: “Gary hurt himself,” “Jane threw a party for herself”)
    2. designating a verb, pronoun, etc. in such a relation

Origin: ML reflexivus

noun

a reflexive verb or pronoun

Related Forms:

See reflexive in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Directed back on itself.
  2. Grammar
    a. Of, relating to, or being a verb having an identical subject and direct object, as dressed in the sentence She dressed herself.
    b. Of, relating to, or being the pronoun used as the direct object of a reflexive verb, as herself in She dressed herself.
  3. Of or relating to a reflex.
  4. Elicited automatically; spontaneous: “a bid for . . . reflexive left-wing approval” (Marshall Delaney).
noun
Grammar
A reflexive verb or pronoun. See Usage Note at myself.

Related Forms:

  • re·flexˈive·ly adverb
  • re·flexˈive·ness, reˌflex·ivˈi·ty (rēˌflĕk-sĭvˈĭ-tē) noun

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