Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Referring back to itself: Describing an action where the subject and the object are the same entity, or a grammatical element that refers back to the subject of the clause.
   • Without volition or conscious control: Describing an automatic, instinctive response to a stimulus; a reflex.

2. Noun:

   • A reflexive pronoun or verb: A word, specifically a personal pronoun compounded with -self (e.g., myself, themselves) or a verb form, that indicates the agent's action affects the agent.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Grammatical):
  • In the sentence "She taught herself," the verb "taught" is used in a reflexive way.
  • "Himself" is a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject "he."
• Adjective (Automatic):
  • A reflexive jerk of the leg occurs when the knee is tapped.
  • Blinking when something approaches your eye is a reflexive action.
• Noun:
  • The word "ourselves" in that sentence is a reflexive.
  • Some languages have specific verb endings to mark a reflexive.

Advanced Usage

• Reflexive verb: A verb whose direct object is the same as its subject. In English, this is often shown with a reflexive pronoun.
  • He prides himself on his punctuality. (The action of "priding" is directed back at the subject "he.")
• Inherently reflexive: Describing an action that is almost always performed upon oneself.
  • Actions like "behave," "avail," and "perjure" are inherently reflexive and typically require a reflexive pronoun.

Variants and Related Words

• Reflex (noun): An automatic and often inborn response to a stimulus.
  • The doctor tested my gag reflex.
• Reflexively (adverb): In an automatic, instinctive manner.
  • She reflexively reached out to catch the falling cup.
• Reflexivity (noun): The state of being reflexive, especially the capability of a verb or its construction to take a reflexive pronoun.

Synonyms

• Automatic: Operating independently of conscious thought.
• Instinctive: Relating to or prompted by instinct; not learned.
• Involuntary: Done without conscious control.
• Self-referential: Referring to oneself or itself.

Related Phrases / Constructions

• Reflexive pronoun: The set of pronouns ending in or (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) used as the object of a verb or preposition when it refers to the subject.
  • I bought a ticket for myself.
• By + reflexive pronoun: Used for emphasis or to mean "alone" or "without help."
  • The child did the puzzle all by himself.

Adjective

1. referring back to itself
2. without volition or conscious control
   • the automatic shrinking of the pupils of the eye in strong light
   • a reflex knee jerk
   • sneezing is reflexive

Noun

1. a personal pronoun compounded with -self to show the agent's action affects the agent