Retroflex

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈɹɛt.ɹəʊ.flÉ›ks/, /ˈɹɛt.ɹə.flÉ›ks/
• US IPA: /ˈɹɛt.ɹoÊŠ.flÉ›ks/, /ˈɹɛt.ɹə.flÉ›ks/

Origin

From Latin rētrōflexus, the perfect participle of rētrōflectō ("bend, turn"), from flectō ("bend, turn").

Full definition of retroflex

Adjective

1. Bent or curved backwards.
2. (phonetics): Of pronunciation in which the tip of the tongue is raised and bent backwards, so that the underside of the tongue is behind the alveolar ridge or touches the palate.

Synonyms

• (bent backwards) reflexed

Related terms

• retroflexed
• retroflexion

Noun

1. (linguistics) a retroflex consonant