knee-jerk

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word knee-jerk. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word knee-jerk, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say knee-jerk in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word knee-jerk you have here. The definition of the word knee-jerk will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofknee-jerk, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: kneejerk, and knee jerk

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From knee +‎ jerk, First attested 1876, derived from a figurative sense of the patellar reflex.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

knee-jerk (comparative more knee-jerk, superlative most knee-jerk)

  1. Unthinking, not carefully considered, (nearly) automatic, spontaneous, easily predictable.
    He gave a knee-jerk response.
    • 2022 March 23, Nigel Harris, “Comment: Drains, trains and Control”, in RAIL, number 953, page 3:
      There were knee-jerk demands from trade unions for immediate withdrawal of all HSTs; these were wrong-headed.
    • 2023 March 15, Michael J. de la Merced, Maureen Farrell, “Credit Suisse to Borrow Up to $54 Billion From Central Bank”, in The New York Times:
      The knee-jerk reaction is further evidence of just how panicked investors are about the stability of the global financial system after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank last week.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

knee-jerk (plural knee-jerks)

  1. A sudden reflexive movement of the leg below the knee, as a reaction to a tap to the tendon just below the patella (kneecap).

Synonyms

Translations