Reflexive (Adjective)

Meaning ¹

Without volition or conscious control; "the automatic shrinking of the pupils of the eye in strong light"; "a reflex knee jerk"; "sneezing is reflexive".

Classification

All adjective clusters.

Synonyms

• Reflex
• Automatic

Meaning ²

Referring back to itself.

Classification

All adjective clusters.

Examples

• The pronoun "itself" is a reflexive word that refers back to the subject of the sentence.
• The statement "this sentence is false" is a reflexive paradox that leads to a logical contradiction.
• The equation "x equals x" is a reflexive relation in mathematics, where the same value is related to itself.
• The system's reflexive architecture allowed it to adapt to new situations by revising its own rules.
• The novel's title, "A Novel about Itself", is a reflexive reference to the book's own self-awareness and literary themes.

Synonyms

• Self-referent

Related Words

• Reflexivity (noun)
• Reflexive (noun)
• Reflexiveness (noun)