ret·ro·flex (r t r -fl ks )adj. also ret·ro·flexed (-fl kst )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.
[Latin *retr flexus, past participle of retr flectere, to bend back : retr , retro- + flectere, to bend.]
|
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | retroflexion - a turning or tilting backward of an organ or body part; "retroversion of the uterus"abnormalcy, abnormality - an abnormal physical condition resulting from defective genes or developmental deficiencies |
| 2. | retroflexion - an articulatory gesture made by turning the tip of the tongue back against the roof of the moutharticulation - the aspect of pronunciation that involves bringing articulatory organs together so as to shape the sounds of speech |
| 3. | retroflexion - the act of bending backwardmovement, 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" |