retroflection
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ret·ro·flex
(rĕt′rə-flĕks′)adj. also ret·ro·flexed (-flĕkst′)
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 *retrōflexus, past participle of retrōflectere, to bend back : retrō, retro- + flectere, to bend.]
ret′ro·flex′ion, ret′ro·flec′tion n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Noun | 1. | retroflection - 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. | retroflection - an articulatory gesture made by turning the tip of the tongue back against the roof of the mouth 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 |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
ret·ro·flex·ion
, retroflectionn. retroflexión, flexión de un órgano hacia atrás.
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