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reflexive response

[/rɪˈflɛksɪv rɪˈspɒns/]
nounpl: reflexive responses
resposta reflexa
1. An automatic, involuntary reaction to a stimulus that occurs without conscious thought or deliberation
The doctor tested the patient's reflexive response by tapping his knee with a small hammer.
O médico testou a resposta reflexa do paciente batendo seu joelho com um pequeno martelo.
2. In psychology and communication, an immediate reaction based on instinct or habit rather than reasoned analysis
Her reflexive response to criticism was to become defensive.
Sua resposta reflexa à crítica foi ficar na defensiva.
3. In linguistics, a grammatical phenomenon where a pronoun refers back to the subject of the sentence
In the sentence 'She blamed herself,' 'herself' is a reflexive response to the subject.
Na frase 'Ela se culpou', 'se' é uma resposta reflexa ao sujeito.
NYC Slang
gut reaction, knee-jerk response
Synonyms
automatic responseinvoluntary reactionreflex actionknee-jerk reaction
Antonyms
deliberate responseconscious reactionthoughtful reply

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
resposta reflexa
Standard term used in medical and psychological contexts
Portugal
resposta reflexa
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; also used in medical terminology
General
reação reflexa
Alternative term, emphasizing the automatic nature of the response

Related Idioms & Phrases

second nature
without thinking
on autopilot
instinctive reaction
like clockwork
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