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Glite Dictionary
👅 Tongue bending back ↩️ Body part bending back
retroflection

retroflection

9.9
A movement that bends a body part backward, for example the spine
  • noun
  • /ˌrɛtrəˈflɛkʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : retroflexión
  • The retroflection of the gymnast's spine impressed the judges.

Examples

  • During the procedure, the doctor noted a retroflection of the colon.

  • The athlete's remarkable retroflection of her back was a key factor in her gymnastics routine.

  • Some consonant sounds in language are produced with a retroflection of the tongue.

  • The retroflection of the tongue is crucial for pronouncing certain sounds.

  • She demonstrated retroflection during her speech therapy session.

  • During the examination, the doctor observed a notable retroflection of the patient's colon.

  • The speech therapist taught him how to achieve retroflection of the tongue for clearer pronunciation.

Synonyms

retroflexion
vsretroflection
  • Specialized
9.9

Bending a body part backward, for example the neck or back

is the process term focusing on the action rather than the state
retroversion
vsretroflection
  • Specialized
9.9

A backward tilt of an organ, often the uterus

is the general act of bending backward not limited to a specific organ

How Bent

retroflection
  • Specialized
9.9
flexion
  • Specialized
3 7.7
to curve
22 2.8
straightness
1 1.0

Surface Forms

retroflection singular
retroflections plural

Morphology

retroflection = retroflex (transparent) = retro + flect + ion

The word is formed by adding the nominalizing suffix '-ion' to the recognizable base 'retroflex', yielding 'the action/state of bending back'.

Etymology

Retroflection comes from retro- 'back' and flect 'bend', just like in reflect or flex. So in medicine or movement it means a part of the body or an organ bending backward, for example a gymnast's spine or a doctor's note about the colon.