startle reflex
- noun
- /ˈstɑrtəl ˈriˌflɛks/
- Specialized
:
reflejo de sobresalto
- The baby showed a strong startle reflex when the loud clap was suddenly heard.
They actually have a, a kind of a heightened startle reflex.
- They actually have a, a kind of a heightened startle reflex.
- It gave you that startle reflex reaction, so it was worth shipping.
Examples
-
They lost their startle reflex.
-
It gave you that startle reflex reaction, so it was worth shipping.
-
Swaddling helps to comfort infants, reducing their startle reflex during naptime.
-
When the door slammed, the toddler's startle reflex caused him to fling his arms out.
Synonyms
1
6.6
A quick automatic reaction to a sudden sound or movement that makes you jump
A new baby stretches the arms and pulls the legs in after a sudden loud noise or movement
A quick change in your body and feelings when something suddenly surprises you, like a loud noise
How Automatic
- Specialized
- Specialized
1
4.5
- Specialized
3
4.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a reflex triggered by a startle' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'startle' (to cause sudden alarm) with 'reflex' (an automatic bodily response). This noun–noun composition follows a regular, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Startle reflex comes from the clear picture of a surprised baby: a sudden loud sound makes the baby fling the arms out and pull the legs in. The word startle (to be surprised) and reflex (a quick, automatic movement) explain why it means a 'fast, automatic reaction' to a sudden noise or surprise.