English > reflex: 2 senses > noun 1, act| Meaning | An automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus. |
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| Synonyms | reflex response, reflex action, instinctive reflex, innate reflex, inborn reflex, unconditioned reflex, physiological reaction |
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| Narrower | Babinski, Babinski reflex, Babinski sign | extension upward of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly on the outer side from the heel to the front |
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| accommodation reflex | reflex changes in the eyes that enable an object to be focused on the retina |
| belch, belching, burp, burping, eructation | A reflex that expels gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth |
| blink, eye blink, blinking, wink, winking, nictitation, nictation | A reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly |
| blush, flush | sudden reddening / reddening of the face (as from embarrassment or guilt or shame or modesty) |
| defecation reflex, rectal reflex | normal response to the presence of feces in the rectum |
| electric shock, electrical shock, shock | A reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body |
| fart, farting, flatus, wind, breaking wind | A reflex that expels intestinal gas through the anus |
| gulp, gulping | A spasmodic reflex of the throat made as if in swallowing |
| hiccup, hiccough, singultus | (usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound |
| knee jerk, knee-jerk reflex, patellar reflex | A reflex extension of the leg resulting from a sharp tap on the patellar tendon |
| light reflex, pupillary reflex, miosis, myosis | reflex contraction of the sphincter muscle of the iris in response to a bright light (or certain drugs) causing the pupil to become smaller |
| micturition reflex | relaxation of the urethral sphincter in response to increased pressure in the bladder |
| mydriasis | reflex pupillary dilation as a muscle pulls the iris outward |
| pharyngeal reflex, gag reflex | normal reflex consisting of retching |
| pilomotor reflex, gooseflesh, goose bump, goosebump, goose pimple, goose skin, horripilation | reflex erection of hairs / hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation |
| plantar reflex | flexion of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly on the outer side from the heel to the front in persons over the age of 2 years |
| rooting reflex | reflex consisting of head-turning and sucking movements elicited in a normal infant by gently stroking the side of the mouth or cheek |
| sneeze, sneezing, sternutation | A symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose |
| startle, jump, start | A sudden involuntary movement |
| stretch reflex, myotactic reflex | reflex contraction of a muscle when an attached tendon is pulled |
| suckling reflex | reflex behavior in newborn mammals |
| tremble, shiver, shake | A reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement / excitement |
| vomit, vomiting, emesis, regurgitation, disgorgement, puking | The reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth |
| yawn, yawning, oscitance, oscitancy | An involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth |
| Broader | reaction, response | A bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent |
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| Spanish | acción refleja, acto reflejo, reacción fisiológica, reflejo incondicionado, reflejo innato, reflejo instintivo, reflejo, respuesta refleja |
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| Catalan | acció reflexa, acte reflex, moviment reflex, reflex instintiu, reflex |
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| Adjectives | reflex | without volition or conscious control |
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