instinctive reflex
- noun
- /ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv ˈriːflɛks/
- Specialized
:
reflejo instintivo
- Infants are born with several instinctive reflexes, such as grasping a finger.
Examples
-
Turning your head when you hear a loud noise is an instinctive reflex.
-
The doctor tested his knee-jerk instinctive reflex with a small hammer.
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The cat's instinctive reflex helped it escape from danger.
-
You should trust your instinctive reflexes in dangerous situations.
-
Infants are born with several instinctive reflexes, such as grasping a finger.
-
Turning your head when you hear a loud noise is an instinctive reflex.
-
The doctor tested his knee-jerk instinctive reflex with a small hammer.
Synonyms
596
2.8
A natural way of acting or feeling that you have from birth
54
3.7
A quick action you do without thinking in response to something
8
4.3
A strong first feeling you have without thinking
2
3.4
A quick movement your body makes without thinking, for example pulling your hand from something hot
1
4.5
An automatic body response to something that affects it, like sweating or a faster heartbeat
An automatic action your body makes without thinking when something touches or moves near you
A quick action you do without thinking
An automatic action your body makes without being taught
An automatic action a baby does without learning
An automatic body response to a signal without learning
How Automatic
- Specialized
925
2.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
Both constituents contribute directly to the meaning: 'instinctive' (driven by instinct) modifies 'reflex' (an automatic response), so the phrase simply denotes an automatic response driven by instinct. This adjective+noun composition is predictable and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Instinctive reflex comes from simple images like a baby closing its hand around a finger or a knee that jerks when tapped; both are fast, natural movements. That's why an instinctive reflex, with instinctive as a natural urge and reflex as a quick movement, means a movement that happens 'without thinking' — a natural, automatic response.