reflexive response
1
5.1
- noun
- /rɪˈflɛksɪv rɪˈspɒns/
- When the loud noise startled him, he had a quick reflexive response to duck.
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Watch on YouTubeIt may be an almost reflexive response to any compliment.
- It may be an almost reflexive response to any compliment.
Examples
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It may be an almost reflexive response to any compliment.
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It was definitely a reflexive response that I had to combat for months.
Blog text (13) -
Somatic state anxiety is considered to be a reflexive response to various environmental stimuli, associated with the onset of an evaluative event (Martens et al., 1990).
Academic text (2004) -
Her laughter was a reflexive response to the unexpected surprise.
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The dog's reflexive response to the sound of the doorbell was to bark immediately.
Synonyms
∞
2.6
An immediate feeling after hearing or seeing something
∞
1.3
How people react to what someone says or does
99
3.7
A quick action you do without thinking in response to something
10
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
1
4.2
An automatic action your body makes without thinking when something touches or moves near you
1
4.0
An automatic body response to a touch or sound that happens without thinking
1
6.5
An automatic body response to a signal without learning
1
4.1
An automatic action your body makes without being taught
How Automatic
- Specialized
1
4.0
99
3.7
1
5.1
∞
2.6
190
2.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an automatic or instinctive reaction' is transparently built from 'reflexive' (automatic, involuntary) plus 'response' (reaction), so the combined sense is directly derivable from the constituents. This adjective + noun composition follows a regular, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand the phrase.
Etymology
Reflexive response comes from simple medical checks: when a doctor taps your knee with a small hammer, the leg makes a quick reflexive response and kicks back automatically. So, it means an action that happens 'without thinking'.