A reflexive reaction or movement occurs immediately in response to something that happens.
[formal]
...that reflexive urge for concealment.
reflexivelyadverb [usually ADVERB with verb]
He felt his head jerk reflexively.
reflexive in British English
(rɪˈflɛksɪv)
adjective
1.
denoting a class of pronouns that refer back to the subject of a sentence or clause. Thus, in the sentence that man thinks a great deal of himself, the pronoun himself is reflexive
2.
denoting a verb used transitively with the reflexive pronoun as its direct object, as the French se lever "to get up" (literally "to raise oneself") or English to dress oneself
3. physiology
of or relating to a reflex
4. logic, mathematics
(of a relation) holding between any member of its domain and itself
"… is a member of the same family as …" is reflexive
Compare irreflexive, nonreflexive
noun
5.
a reflexive pronoun or verb
Derived forms
reflexively (reˈflexively)
adverb
reflexiveness (reˈflexiveness) or reflexivity (ˌriːflɛkˈsɪvɪtɪ)
noun
reflexive in American English
(rɪˈflɛksɪv)
adjective
1. Rare
a.
reflex
b.
reflective
2.
having to do with the act or process of reflecting
3.
of or having to do with a thematic concern in a work of art, writing, etc., with the creative process of making or appreciating that work
4. Grammar
a.
designating or expressing a grammatical relation in which a verb's subject and an object in the sentence refer to the sameperson or thing, serving to indicate that the action of the verb is directed back to the subject (Ex.: “Gary hurt himself,” “Jane threw a party for herself”)
b.
designating a verb, pronoun, etc. in such a relation
noun
5.
a reflexive verb or pronoun
Derived forms
reflexively (reˈflexively)
adverb
reflexiveness (reˈflexiveness)
noun or ˌreflexˈivity (ˌriflɛkˈsɪvəti)
Word origin
ML reflexivus
Examples of 'reflexive' in a sentence
reflexive
This was one of the most depressing moments of my life, not entirely for its present state but its reflexive backwardness.
Dexter Petley WHITE LIES (2003)
When she finally did look up, she let out a stifled scream and made a reflexive hop like a frightened rabbit.
Garth Nix LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2003)
`He chuckled, but his eyes moved from me to Amber and back again in a reflexive action he could not control.