reflex action


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reflex action

1. Simple behavior in which a stimulus evokes a response without involving the brain, e.g. a knee jerk.
2. The body’s automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.reflex action - an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulusreflex action - an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex response, unconditioned reflex
accommodation reflex - reflex changes in the eyes that enable an object to be focused on the retina
Babinski, Babinski reflex, Babinski sign - extension upward of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly on the outer side from the heel to the front; normal in infants under the age of two years but a sign of brain or spinal cord injury in older persons
belch, burp, burping, eructation, belching - a reflex that expels gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth
blink, blinking, eye blink, nictation, nictitation, winking, wink - a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
blush, flush - sudden reddening of the face (as from embarrassment or guilt or shame or modesty)
disgorgement, emesis, puking, vomiting, regurgitation, vomit - the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth
defecation reflex, rectal reflex - normal response to the presence of feces in the rectum
yawn, yawning, oscitance, oscitancy - an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom; "he could not suppress a yawn"; "the yawning in the audience told him it was time to stop"; "he apologized for his oscitancy"
electrical shock, shock, electric shock - a reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body; "subjects received a small electric shock when they made the wrong response"; "electricians get accustomed to occasional shocks"
breaking wind, farting, flatus, wind - a reflex that expels intestinal gas through the anus
gulping, gulp - a spasmodic reflex of the throat made as if in swallowing
response, reaction - a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent; "a bad reaction to the medicine"; "his responses have slowed with age"
knee jerk, knee-jerk reflex, patellar reflex - a reflex extension of the leg resulting from a sharp tap on the patellar tendon
light reflex, pupillary reflex, miosis, myosis - reflex contraction of the sphincter muscle of the iris in response to a bright light (or certain drugs) causing the pupil to become smaller
mydriasis - reflex pupillary dilation as a muscle pulls the iris outward; occurs in response to a decrease in light or certain drugs
micturition reflex - relaxation of the urethral sphincter in response to increased pressure in the bladder
gag reflex, pharyngeal reflex - normal reflex consisting of retching; may be produced by touching the soft palate in the back of the mouth
goose bump, goose pimple, goose skin, goosebump, gooseflesh, horripilation, pilomotor reflex - reflex erection of hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation
plantar reflex - flexion of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly on the outer side from the heel to the front in persons over the age of 2 years; under 2 years the results should be extension of the toes (Babinski reflex)
rooting reflex - reflex consisting of head-turning and sucking movements elicited in a normal infant by gently stroking the side of the mouth or cheek
startle, jump, start - a sudden involuntary movement; "he awoke with a start"
myotactic reflex, stretch reflex - reflex contraction of a muscle when an attached tendon is pulled; important in maintaining erect posture
suckling reflex - reflex behavior in newborn mammals; includes finding and grasping the nipple in the mouth and sucking on it and swallowing the milk
shiver, tremble, shake - a reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement
sneeze, sneezing, sternutation - a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose
hiccough, hiccup, singultus - (usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion; "how do you cure the hiccups?"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

reflex action

n → azione f riflessa
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
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There are some things one says in life--as well as things one does--which come automatically, by reflex action, as the physiologists say (meaning, no doubt, action without reflection, just as lucus is said to be derived 'a non lucendo').
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Each time he thrust this in the pony's shoulder, the pony, stung by the pain and reflex action, lifted its head, and the man was deftly ready to meet the pony's mouth with his own mouth.
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Watford striker, Tamas Priskin, rose unchallenged to deliver a fierce header from McAnuff's free-kick only to be foiled by a terrific reflex action save from Kiely who then watched in relief as Bromby fired over his crossbar.
Football: BAGGIES HELD BY HORNETS; Coca Cola CHAMPIONSHIP
A cough is a reflex action which helps clear your airways of foreign objects, mucus, phlegm or irritating factors like dust or smoke.
BODY TALK; Scratching gets rid of memories but what do all the other functions achieve?
She added: "It was just a reflex action. It wasn't until afterwards that I felt quite shaken."
'I rushed from the car, it was a reflex action'
A Hampshire police spokeswoman said the drive was on a hill and the vehicle started to move prompting the woman to make a reflex action and try to stop the car.
Mum on school run knocked down by own car
It was almost a reflex action from his point of view."
Dealer jailed for pounds 5 stabbing
below par and it was a reflex action to use my elbow, as I was getting
Fallon found to be at fault in Kris Kin scrimmaging
Pearce's blunder was a reflex action rather than deliberate - but it was still definitely a penalty.
SHEARO AND VILLAIN; Swiss of death for sad Pearce after Al gets back in groove; England 1 Switzerland 1
Norelco is presenting its Reflex Action Shaving system, featuring "Contour Reflex Action" to automatically adjust shaving heads to the contours of the face.
Personal care showcase
The coroner, Clarke Aspinall, said Hannah had strangled herself, but other medical experts disagreed, saying such a thing was impossible, because a person would automatically let go of the throat as a reflex action before asphyxia could occur, but self-strangulation remained the official cause of death.
TALES FROM THE PAST
Opposing the deepest spending cuts since the 1930s is a natural reflex action yet the new leader must be smart.
Remaking of Labour starts now

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