reflexive

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See also: réflexive

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin reflexīvus, from Latin reflexus.

Pronunciation

Adjective

reflexive (not comparable)

  1. (grammar) Referring back to the subject, or having an object equal to the subject.
  2. (mathematics) 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).
    "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. Of or resulting from a reflex.
    The electric shock elicited an automatic and reflexive response from him.
  4. (figurative) Producing immediate response, spontaneous.
    a reflexive dislike
  5. Synonym of reflective

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

reflexive (plural reflexives)

  1. (grammar) A reflexive pronoun.
  2. (grammar) A reflexive verb.

Translations

See also

Further reading

German

Pronunciation

Adjective

reflexive

  1. inflection of reflexiv:
    1. strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
    2. strong nominative/accusative plural
    3. weak nominative all-gender singular
    4. weak accusative feminine/neuter singular

Latin

Etymology 1

Adverb

reflexīvē (not comparable)

  1. reflexively

Etymology 2

Adjective

reflexīve

  1. vocative masculine singular of reflexīvus