reflexive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a personal pronoun compounded with -self to show the agent's action affects the agent
    reflexive pronoun.
  2. adjective satellite without volition or conscious control
    reflex; automatic.
    • the automatic shrinking of the pupils of the eye in strong light
    • a reflex knee jerk
    • sneezing is reflexive
  3. adjective satellite referring back to itself
    self-referent.

WordNet

Re*flex"ive adjective
Definitions
  1. Cf. F. réflexif. Bending or turned backward; reflective; having respect to something past.
    Assurance reflexive can not be a divine faith. Hammond.
  2. Implying censure. Obs. "What man does not resent an ugly reflexive word?" South.
  3. (Gram.) Having for its direct object a pronoun which refers to the agent or subject as its antecedent; -- said of certain verbs; as, the witness perjured himself; I bethought myself. Applied also to pronouns of this class; reciprocal; reflective. -- Re*flex"ive*ly, adv. -- Re*flex"ive*ness, n.

Webster 1913