RETROFLECTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does retroflection mean? 

• RETROFLECTION (noun)
  The noun RETROFLECTION has 3 senses:

1. a turning or tilting backward of an organ or body part

2. an articulatory gesture made by turning the tip of the tongue back against the roof of the mouth

3. the act of bending backward

  Familiarity information: RETROFLECTION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RETROFLECTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A turning or tilting backward of an organ or body part

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

retroflection; retroflexion; retroversion

Context example:

retroversion of the uterus

Hypernyms ("retroflection" is a kind of...):

abnormalcy; abnormality (an abnormal physical condition resulting from defective genes or developmental deficiencies)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An articulatory gesture made by turning the tip of the tongue back against the roof of the mouth

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

retroflection; retroflexion

Hypernyms ("retroflection" is a kind of...):

articulation (the aspect of pronunciation that involves bringing articulatory organs together so as to shape the sounds of speech)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of bending backward

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

retroflection; retroflexion

Hypernyms ("retroflection" is a kind of...):

motility; motion; move; movement (a change of position that does not entail a change of location)

Derivation:

retroflex (bend or turn backward)