Reflexive

//ɹɪˈflɛksɪv// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Referring back to the subject, or having an object equal to the subject. not-comparable
  2. 2
    Of a relation R on a set S, such that xRx for all members x of S (that is, the relation holds between any element of the set and itself). not-comparable

    ""Equals" is a reflexive relation, as it holds for all possible x; "not less" is non-reflexive because it is true only for some x and y, "unequal" is irreflexive, as it never holds between x and itself."

  3. 3
    Of or resulting from a reflex. not-comparable

    "The electric shock elicited an automatic and reflexive response from him."

  4. 4
    Producing immediate response, spontaneous. figuratively, not-comparable

    "a reflexive dislike"

  5. 5
    Producing or provoking a reciprocal response. not-comparable

    "Shoigu's thinly veiled nuclear threats against NATO are part of the Kremlin's broader reflexive control campaign to influence Western decision-making in Russia's favor and against Western states' own interests. Shoigu's nuclear threats are attempts to push European states to self-deter and reduce their buildups of their defenses – leaving NATO's eastern border largely undefended. These reflexive control efforts are in line with Russian President Vladimir Putin's 2021 demand before launching his full-scale invasion of Ukraine that NATO not deploy any military forces to states that became NATO members after 1997, including Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland."

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    Synonym of reflective. not-comparable
Adjective
  1. 1
    referring back to itself wordnet
  2. 2
    without volition or conscious control wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A reflexive pronoun.
  2. 2
    a personal pronoun compounded with ‘-self’ to show the agent's action affects the agent wordnet
  3. 3
    A reflexive verb.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Medieval Latin reflexīvus, from Latin reflexus, equivalent to reflex + -ive.

Etymology 2

From Medieval Latin reflexīvus, from Latin reflexus, equivalent to reflex + -ive.

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