reflexive
pronunciation
How to pronounce reflexive in British English:
UK [rɪˈfleksɪv]
How to pronounce reflexive in American English:
US [rɪˈflɛksɪv]
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- Noun:
- a personal pronoun compounded with -self to show the agent's action affects the agent
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- Adjective:
- without volition or conscious control
- referring back to itself
Word Origin
- reflexive (adj.)
- 1580s, "reflective, capable of bending or turning back," from Medieval Latin reflexivus, from Late Latin reflexus (see reflect). Meaning "of the nature of a reflex" is from 1839 (implied in reflexively). Grammatical sense from 1837. Related: Reflexiveness; reflexivity.
Example
- 1. Contemplation becomes reflexive , like breathing .
- 2. Complete the sentences below using the appropriate reflexive pronoun .
- 3. But the tipping point is reflexive and therefore indeterminate .
- 4. Marriage is a reflexive relationship ; the crash of 2008 was a reflexive event .
- 5. Finally , treasuries are a reflexive choice in a crisis .