reflex etymology

Etymology

• Latin: reflectere ("to bend back", "to cast back")
• Proto-Indo-European: *leyp- ("to cling")

Meaning

• 1a. An involuntary, nearly instantaneous response to a stimulus.
• 1b. A thoughtful response to a situation or idea.
• 2. A mirror image.
• 3. An action or result that is a consequence of a previous action.

Origin

The English word "reflex" comes from the Latin word "reflectere," which means "to bend back" or "to cast back." This word is derived from the proto-Indo-European root "*leyp-," which means "to cling." The sense of "reflex" as an involuntary response to a stimulus comes from the idea that the body is "clinging" to the stimulus and responding to it in a predictable way. The sense of "reflex" as a thoughtful response to a situation or idea comes from the idea that the mind is "bending back" on itself to consider the situation or idea and respond appropriately.

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