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Reflective vs Reflexive - What's the difference?

reflective | reflexive |

As adjectives the difference between reflective and reflexive

is that reflective is something which reflects, or redirects back to the source while reflexive is referring back to the subject, or having an object equal to the subject.

As a noun reflexive is

a reflexive pronoun.

reflective

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Something which reflects, or redirects back to the source.
    • Mirrors are reflective .
  • Thinking back on the past.
    • He always becomes reflective in preparation for the new year.
  • (computing, programming) Involving reflection.

    • Derived terms

    * unreflective

    Coordinate terms

    * refractive

    reflexive

    English

    (Reflexive verb)

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (grammar) Referring back to the subject, or having an object equal to the subject.
  • (set theory) Of a relation R'' on a set ''S'', such that ''xRx'' for all members ''x'' of ''S (that is, the relation holds between any element of the set and itself).
    • "Equals" is a reflexive relation.
  • Of or resulting from a reflex.
    • The electric shock elicited an automatic and reflexive response from him.
  • (figurative) Producing immediate response, spontaneous.
    • a reflexive dislike

    Antonyms

    * non-reflexive, nonreflexive

    Derived terms

    * reflexive verb * reflexive pronoun

    Related terms

    * symmetric * transitive * irreflexive

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A reflexive pronoun.
    • ----