innate reflex
1
4.1
- noun
- /ɪˈneɪt ˈriːflɛks/
- Specialized
- The doctor explained that the innate reflex of a newborn to grasp a finger is a natural instinct.
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Watch on YouTubeWe, we have this innate, thankfully innate reflex to protect our young, as does every most every species.
- We, we have this innate, thankfully innate reflex to protect our young, as does every most every species.
Examples
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We, we have this innate, thankfully innate reflex to protect our young, as does every most every species.
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She demonstrated an innate reflex by instantly withdrawing her hand from the hot stove.
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Human beings have an innate reflex to flinch when something suddenly approaches their face.
Synonyms
552
2.8
A natural way of acting or feeling that you have from birth
99
3.7
A quick action you do without thinking in response to something
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
5.1
A quick action you do without thinking
1
4.0
An automatic body response to a touch or sound that happens without thinking
1
3.5
An automatic action a baby does without learning
1
6.5
An automatic body response to a signal without learning
Antonyms
- Specialized
1
5.7
A reaction a person develops from practice or experience, not one they are born with
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase 'innate reflex' is fully compositional: 'innate' (natural, not learned) modifies 'reflex' (an automatic response), so the combined meaning — an automatic response present from birth or without learning — follows directly from the constituents. This construction and meaning are common cross-linguistically and thus would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows both words.
Etymology
Innate reflex puts together innate, meaning 'born' or 'built-in', and reflex, meaning a quick body action. Imagine a baby who turns its head and sucks when something touches its cheek — this built-in action happens 'without learning', so innate reflex means an 'automatic, instinctive' reaction.