retroflection

ret·ro·flex  (rtr-flks)

adj. also ret·ro·flexed (-flkst)

1. Bent, curved, or turned backward.

2. Pronounced with the tip of the tongue turned back against the roof of the mouth.

n.

A sound pronounced with the tongue in retroflex position, as the sound (r) in some varieties of English.

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[Latin *retrflexus, past participle of retrflectere, to bend back : retr, retro- + flectere, to bend.]

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retro·flexion, retro·flection n.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	retroflection - a turning or tilting backward of an organ or body part; "retroversion of the uterus" retroflexion, retroversion abnormalcy, abnormality - an abnormal physical condition resulting from defective genes or developmental deficiencies
	2.	retroflection - an articulatory gesture made by turning the tip of the tongue back against the roof of the mouth retroflexion articulation - the aspect of pronunciation that involves bringing articulatory organs together so as to shape the sounds of speech
	3.	retroflection - the act of bending backward retroflexion movement, motility, motion, move - a change of position that does not entail a change of location; "the reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise"; "movement is a sign of life"; "an impatient move of his hand"; "gastrointestinal motility"