knee-jerk

English

Alternative forms

• kneejerk
• knee jerk

Etymology

knee +‎ jerk, First attested 1876, obviously derived from a figurative sense of the patellar reflex.

Adjective

knee-jerk (comparative more knee-jerk, superlative most knee-jerk)

1. Automatic, spontaneous, easily predictable

   He gave a knee-jerk response.

Translations

reacting spontaneously in the expected manner

Icelandic: ósjálfráður (is) m. Dutch: voorspelbaar (nl) French: prévisible (fr)

Norwegian: forventet or forutsigelig or forutsigbar spontanreaksjon (no) m.

Noun

knee-jerk (plural knee-jerks)

1. A sudden reflexive movement of the leg below the knee, as a reaction to a tap to the tendon just below the patella (kneecap).

Synonyms

• kneejerk reflex
• patellar reflex

Translations

a reflex extension of the lower leg

Icelandic: hnéviðbragð (is) n., hnékippur (is) m.

Norwegian: knerefleks (no) m., patellarefleks (no) m.