HyperDic: reflex

English > 2 senses of the word reflex:
NOUNactreflex, reflex response, reflex action, instinctive reflex, innate reflex, inborn reflex, unconditioned reflex, physiological reactionan automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
ADJECTIVEallreflex, automatic, reflexivewithout volition or conscious control
reflex > pronunciation
Soundsriy'flehks
RhymesAix ... x / X: 35 rhymes with ehks...
English > reflex: 2 senses > adjective 1
MeaningWithout volition or conscious control.
Examples
  • "a reflex knee jerk"
  • "sneezing is reflexive"
Synonymsautomatic, reflexive
CategoryphysiologyThe branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms
BroaderinvoluntaryControlled by the autonomic nervous system
Spanishautomático, reflejo
Catalanautomàtic, reflex
Nounsreflexan automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
Adverbsreflexlyin a reflex manner
English > reflex: 2 senses > noun 1, act
MeaningAn automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus.
Synonymsreflex response, reflex action, instinctive reflex, innate reflex, inborn reflex, unconditioned reflex, physiological reaction
NarrowerBabinski, Babinski reflex, Babinski signextension upward of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly on the outer side from the heel to the front
accommodation reflexreflex changes in the eyes that enable an object to be focused on the retina
belch, belching, burp, burping, eructationA reflex that expels gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth
blink, eye blink, blinking, wink, winking, nictitation, nictationA reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
blush, flushsudden reddening / reddening of the face (as from embarrassment or guilt or shame or modesty)
defecation reflex, rectal reflexnormal response to the presence of feces in the rectum
electric shock, electrical shock, shockA reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body
fart, farting, flatus, wind, breaking windA reflex that expels intestinal gas through the anus
gulp, gulpingA 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 reflexA reflex extension of the leg resulting from a sharp tap on the patellar tendon
light reflex, pupillary reflex, miosis, myosisreflex contraction of the sphincter muscle of the iris in response to a bright light (or certain drugs) causing the pupil to become smaller
micturition reflexrelaxation of the urethral sphincter in response to increased pressure in the bladder
mydriasisreflex pupillary dilation as a muscle pulls the iris outward
pharyngeal reflex, gag reflexnormal reflex consisting of retching
pilomotor reflex, gooseflesh, goose bump, goosebump, goose pimple, goose skin, horripilationreflex erection of hairs / hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation
plantar reflexflexion 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 reflexreflex consisting of head-turning and sucking movements elicited in a normal infant by gently stroking the side of the mouth or cheek
sneeze, sneezing, sternutationA symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose
startle, jump, startA sudden involuntary movement
stretch reflex, myotactic reflexreflex contraction of a muscle when an attached tendon is pulled
suckling reflexreflex behavior in newborn mammals
tremble, shiver, shakeA reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement / excitement
vomit, vomiting, emesis, regurgitation, disgorgement, pukingThe reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth
yawn, yawning, oscitance, oscitancyAn involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth
Broaderreaction, responseA bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent
Spanishacción refleja, acto reflejo, reacción fisiológica, reflejo incondicionado, reflejo innato, reflejo instintivo, reflejo, respuesta refleja
Catalanacció reflexa, acte reflex, moviment reflex, reflex instintiu, reflex
Adjectivesreflexwithout volition or conscious control

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