adj. & n. --adj. 1 (of an action) independent of the will, as an automatic response to the stimulation of a nerve (e.g. a sneeze). 2 (of an angle) exceeding 180°. 3 bent backwards. 4 (of light) reflected. 5 (of a thought etc.) introspective; directed back upon itself or its own operations. 6 (of an effect or influence) reactive; coming back upon its author or source. --n. 1 a reflex action. 2 a sign or secondary manifestation (law is a reflex of public opinion). 3 reflected light or a reflected image. 4 a word formed by development from an earlier stage of a language. Phrases and idioms reflex arc Anat. the sequence of nerves involved in a reflex action. reflex camera a camera with a ground-glass focusing screen on which the image is formed by a combination of lens and mirror, enabling the scene to be correctly composed and focused. Derivatives reflexly adv. Etymology: L reflexus (as REFLECT) ...
Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference
I. noun Etymology: Latin ~us, past participle of reflectere to reflect Date: 1508 1. a. archaic reflected heat, light, or color b. a mirrored image c. a copy exact in essential or peculiar features 2. a. an automatic and often inborn response to a stimulus that involves a nerve impulse passing inward from a receptor to a nerve center and thence outward to an effector (as a muscle or gland) without reaching the level of consciousness — compare habit 7 b. the process that culminates in a ~ and comprises reception, transmission, and reaction — called also ~ action c. plural the power of acting or responding with adequate speed d. a way of thinking or behaving 3. a linguistic element (as a word or sound) or system (as writing) that is derived from a prior and especially an older element or system boat is the ~ of Old English bat II. adjective Etymology: Latin ~us Date: 1649 1. directed back on the mind or its operations ; introspective 2. ~ed 3. produced or carried out in reaction, resistance, or return 4. of an angle being between 180° and 360° 5. of, relating to, or produced by a ~ without intervention of consciousness • ~ly adverb ...
(reflexes) 1. A reflex or a reflex action is something that you do automatically and without thinking, as a habit or as a reaction to something. Walsh fumbled in his pocket, a reflex from his smoking days... N-COUNT 2. A reflex or a reflex action is a normal, uncontrollable reaction of your body to something that you feel, see, or experience. ...tests for reflexes, like tapping the knee or the heel with a rubber hammer. N-COUNT 3. Your reflexes are your ability to react quickly with your body when something unexpected happens, for example when you are involved in sport or when you are driving a car. It takes great skill, cool nerves and the reflexes of an athlete. N-PLURAL ...
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary
~ n 1 a sudden movement that your muscles make as a natural reaction to a physical effect (The doctor checked my reflexes.) 2 reflexes the natural ability to react quickly and well to sudden situations (A tennis player needs to have good reflexes.) 3 also reflex action something that you do when you react to a situation without thinking (His hand went to his gun in a reflex action.) ...