—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)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.