reaction

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: re=ac=tion
• COUNT in NET: 2 in 2 verses (in OT : 1 in 1 verses) (in NT : 1 in 1 verses)

CIDE DICTIONARY

reaction, n. [Cf. F. réaction.].

•  Any action in resisting other action or force; counter tendency; movement in a contrary direction; reverse action.  [1913 Webster]
•  The mutual or reciprocal action of chemical agents upon each other, or the action upon such chemical agents of some form of energy, as heat, light, or electricity, resulting in a chemical change in one or more of these agents, with the production of new compounds or the manifestation of distinctive characters. See Blowpipe reaction, Flame reaction, under Blowpipe, and Flame.  [1913 Webster]
•  An action induced by vital resistance to some other action; depression or exhaustion of vital force consequent on overexertion or overstimulation; heightened activity and overaction succeeding depression or shock.  [1913 Webster]
•  The force which a body subjected to the action of a force from another body exerts upon the latter body in the opposite direction.  [1913 Webster]

  "Reaction is always equal and opposite to action, that is to say, the actions of two bodies upon each other are always equal and in opposite directions."  [1913 Webster]
•  Backward tendency or movement after revolution, reform, or great progress in any direction.  [1913 Webster]

  "The new king had, at the very moment at which his fame and fortune reached the highest point, predicted the coming reaction."  [1913 Webster]
•  A regular or characteristic response to a stimulation of the nerves.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
•  An action by a person or people in response to an event. The reaction may be primarily mental (“ a reaction of surprise”) but is usually manifested by some activity.  [PJC]

Reaction time (Physiol.), in nerve physiology, the interval between the application of a stimulus to an end organ of sense and the reaction or resulting movement; -- called also physiological time. -- Reaction wheel (Mech.), a water wheel driven by the reaction of water, usually one in which the water, entering it centrally, escapes at its periphery in a direction opposed to that of its motion by orifices at right angles, or inclined, to its radii.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

reaction, n.
1 the act or an instance of reacting; a responsive or reciprocal action.
2 a a responsive feeling (what was your reaction to the news?). b an immediate or first impression.
3 the occurrence of a (physical or emotional) condition after a period of its opposite.
4 a bodily response to an external stimulus, e.g. a drug.
5 a tendency to oppose change or to advocate return to a former system, esp. in politics.
6 the interaction of substances undergoing chemical change.
7 propulsion by emitting a jet of particles etc. in the direction opposite to that of the intended motion.

Derivative

reactionist n. & adj.

Etymology

REACT + -ION or med.L reactio (as RE-, ACTION)

THESAURUS

reaction

Bourbonism, Toryism, acknowledgment, action and reaction, aeromotor, affect, affection, answer, answering, antagonism, antipathy, antiphon, assumption, attitude, back answer, back talk, backchat, backlash, backset, backsliding, backward motion, backward step, backwardness, backwash, brain disease, challenge, clashing, climate of opinion, clout, collision, combative reaction, comeback, common belief, community sentiment, compensation, complaint, conceit, concept, conception, conclusion, conflict, confutation, consensus gentium, conservatism, conservativeness, consideration, contradiction, contraposition, contrariety, counteraction, counterbalance, counterposition, counterworking, crack-up, crankiness, crotchetiness, defiance, demur, die-hardism, dispute, dissent, dissentience, echo, effect, emotion, emotional charge, emotional disorder, emotional instability, emotional shade, estimate, estimation, ethos, evasive reply, experience, extreme right, extreme right wing, extreme rightism, eye, feedback, feeling, feeling tone, force, foreboding, fractiousness, friction, functional nervous disorder, general belief, gut reaction, heartthrob, idea, impact, impress, impression, imprint, insanity, interference, jet power, jet propulsion, judgment, kick, know-nothingism, laissez-faireism, lapse, lights, maladjustment, manic-depressive psychosis, mark, melancholia, mental disorder, mental illness, mind, monarchism, mystique, negativism, nervous breakdown, nervous disorder, neurosis, nonconformity, noncooperation, notion, objection, observation, obstinacy, old school tie, opinion, opposition, opposure, oppugnance, oppugnancy, paranoia, passion, passive resistance, personal judgment, personality disorder, perverseness, point of view, popular belief, position, posture, power plant, presentiment, presumption, prevailing belief, print, problems in living, profound sense, protest, psychosis, public belief, public opinion, radical rightism, ram-jet propulsion, reaction propulsion, reactionariness, reactionaryism, ready reply, rebuff, recalcitrance, recalcitrancy, recalcitration, receipt, recession, recidivation, recidivism, reciprocation, recoil, reentry, reflex, refluence, reflux, refractoriness, regress, regression, rejoinder, relapse, reluctance, remonstrance, renitence, renitency, repartee, repellence, repellency, repercussion, replication, reply, repost, reprisal, repugnance, repulse, repulsion, rescript, rescription, resistance, resojet propulsion, respondence, response, responsion, responsory, retaliation, retort, retroaction, retrocession, retroflexion, retrogradation, retrogression, retrusion, return, revenge, reverberation, revolt, rightism, riposte, rocket power, rocket propulsion, rollback, royalism, schizophrenia, sensation, sense, sentiment, setback, short answer, sight, snappy comeback, social Darwinism, social maladjustment, stance, stand, standpattism, sternway, swimming upstream, theory, thinking, thought, throwback, turbojet propulsion, ultraconservatism, uncooperativeness, undercurrent, unprogressiveness, view, way of thinking, withstanding, witty reply, witty retort, yes-and-no answer

ROGET THESAURUS

reaction

Compensation

N compensation, equation, commutation, indemnification, compromise, neutralization, nullification, counteraction, reaction, measure for measure, retaliation, equalization, robbing Peter to pay Paul, set-off, offset, make-weight, casting-weight, counterpoise, ballast, indemnity, equivalent, quid pro quo, bribe, hush money, amends, counterbalance, counterclaim, cross-debt, cross- demand, compensating, compensatory, countervailing, in the opposite scale, equivalent, in return, in consideration, but, however, yet, still, notwithstanding, nevertheless, nathless, none the less, although, though, albeit, howbeit, mauger, at all events, at any rate, be that as it may, for all that, even so, on the other, hand, at the same time, quoad minus, quand meme, however that may be, after all is said and done, taking one thing with another, light is mingled with the gloom, every dark cloud has a silver lining, primo avulso non deficit alter, saepe creat molles aspera spina rosas.

Restoration

N restoration, restoral, reinstatement, replacement, rehabilitation, reestablishment, reconstitution, reconstruction, reproduction, renovation, renewal, revival, revivessence, reviviscence, refreshment, resuscitation, reanimation, revivification, reviction, Phenix, reorganization, renaissance, second youth, rejuvenescence, new birth, regeneration, regeneracy, regenerateness, palingenesis, reconversion, redress, retrieval, reclamation, recovery, convalescence, resumption, resumption, sanativeness, recurrence, rechauffe, rifacimento, cure, recure, sanation, healing, redintegration, rectification, instauration, repair, reparation, remanufacture, recruiting, cicatrization, disinfection, tinkering, reaction, redemption, restitution, relief, tinker, cobbler, vis medicatrix, curableness, restored, redivivus, convalescent, in a fair way, none the worse, rejuvenated, restoring, restorative, recuperative, sanative, reparative, sanatory, reparatory, curative, remedial, restorable, recoverable, sanable, remediable, retrievable, curable, in statu quo, as you were, phr, revenons a nos moutons, medecin, gueris-toi toi- meme, vestigia nulla retrorsum.

Retaliation

N retaliation, reprisal, retort, payback, counter- stroke, counter-blast, counterplot, counter-project, retribution, lex talionis, reciprocation, tit for tat, give and take, blow for blow, quid pro quo, a Roland for an Oliver, measure for measure, diamond cut diamond, the biter bit, a game at which two can play, reproof valiant, retort courteous, recrimination, revenge, compensation, reaction, retaliating, retaliatory, retaliative, talionic, in retaliation, en revanche, mutato nomine de te fabula narratur, par pari refero, tu quoque, you too, you're another, suo sibi gladio hunc jugulo, a beau jeu beau retour, litem _ç, lite resolvit.

Counteraction

N counteraction, opposition, contrariety, antagonism, polarity, clashing, collision, interference, inhibition, resistance, renitency, friction, reaction, retroaction, counterblast, neutralization, vis inertiae, check, voluntary opposition &c, voluntary resistance, repression, opposites, action and reaction, yang and yin, yang-yin (contrariety), counteracting, antagonistic, conflicting, retroactive, renitent, reactionary, contrary, although, in spite of, against, for every action there is a reaction, equal in force and opposite in direction.

Amusement

N amusement, entertainment, recreation, fun, game, fun and games, diversion, divertissement, reaction, solace, pastime, passetemps, sport, labor of love, pleasure, relaxation, leisure, fun, frolic, merriment, jollity, joviality, jovialness, heyday, laughter, jocosity, jocoseness, drollery, buffoonery, tomfoolery, mummery, pleasantry, wit, quip, quirk, giggle, titter, snigger, snicker, crow, cheer, chuckle, shout, horse laugh, belly laugh, hearty laugh, guffaw, burst of laughter, fit of laughter, shout of laughter, roar of laughter, peal of laughter, cachinnation, Kentish fire, tiger, play, game, game at romps, gambol, romp, prank, antic, rig, lark, spree, skylarking, vagary, monkey trick, gambade, fredaine, escapade, echappee, bout, espieglerie, practical joke, dance, hop, reel, rigadoon, saraband, hornpipe, bolero, ballroom dance, minuet, waltz, polka, fox trot, tango, samba, rhumba, twist, stroll, hustle, cha-cha, fandango, cancan, bayadere, breakdown, cake-walk, cornwallis, break dancing, nautch-girl, shindig, skirtdance, stag dance, Virginia reel, square dance, galop, galopade, jig, Irish jig, fling, strathspey, allemande, gavot, gavotte, tarantella, mazurka, morisco, morris dance, quadrille, country dance, folk dance, cotillon, Sir Roger de Coverley, ballet, ball, bal, bal masque, bal costume, masquerade, Terpsichore, festivity, merrymaking, party, blowout, hullabaloo, hoedown, bat, bum, bust, clambake, donation party, fish fry, jamboree, kantikoy, nautch, randy, squantum, tear, Turnerfest, yule log, fete, festival, gala, ridotto, revels, revelry, reveling, carnival, brawl, saturnalia, high jinks, feast, banquet, regale, symposium, wassail, carouse, carousal, jollification, junket, wake, Irish wake, picnic, fete champetre, regatta, field day, treat, round of pleasures, dissipation, a short life and a merry one, racketing, holiday making, rejoicing, jubilee, bonfire, fireworks, feu-de-joie, firecracker, holiday, gala day, red letter day, play day, high days and holidays, high holiday, Bank holiday, May day, Derby day, Saint Monday, Easter Monday, Whit Monday, Bairam, wayz-goos, bean feast, Arbor Day, Declaration Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, Mardi gras, mi-careme, feria, fiesta, place of amusement, theater, hall, concert room, ballroom, assemblyroom, music hall, park, plaisance, national park, national forest, state park, county park, city park, vest-pocket park, public park (public), arbor, garden, pleasure ground, playground, cricketground, croquet ground, archery ground, hunting ground, tennis court, racket court, bowling alley, green alley, croquet lawn, rink, glaciarum, skating rink, roundabout, merry-go-round, swing, montagne Russe, game of chance, game of skill, athletic sports, gymnastics, archery, rifle shooting, tournament, pugilism, sports, horse racing, the turf, aquatics, skating, sliding, cricket, tennis, lawn tennis, hockey, football, baseball, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, rackets, fives, trap bat and ball, battledore and shuttlecock, la grace, pall- mall, tipcat, croquet, golf, curling, pallone, polo, water polo, tent pegging, tilting at the ring, quintain, greasy pole, quoits, horseshoes, discus, rounders, lacrosse, tobogganing, water polo, knurr and spell, leapfrog, hop skip and jump, mother may I, French and English, tug of war, blindman's bluff, hunt the slopper, hide and seek, kiss in the ring, snapdragon, cross questions and crooked answers, crisscross, hopscotch, jacks, jackstones, marbles, mumblety-peg, mumble-the-peg, pushball, shinney, shinny, tag, billiards, pool, pingpong, pyramids, bagatelle, bowls, skittles, ninepins, kain, American bowls, tenpins, tivoli, cards, card games, whist, rubber, round game, loo, cribbage, besique, euchre, drole, ecarte, picquet, allfours, quadrille, omber, reverse, Pope Joan, commit, boston, boaston, blackjack, twenty- one, vingtun, quinze, thirty-one, put, speculation, connections, brag, cassino, lottery, commerce, snip-snap-snoren, lift smoke, blind hookey, Polish bank, Earl of Coventry, Napoleon, patience, pairs, banker, blind poker, draw poker, straight poker, stud poker, bluff, bridge, bridge whist, lotto, monte, three-card monte, nap, penny-ante, poker, reversis, squeezers, old maid, fright, beggar-my- neighbor, baccarat, ace, king, queen, knave, jack, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, trey, deuce, joker, trump, wild card, spades, hearts, clubs, diamonds, major suit, minor suit, bower, right bower, left bower, dummy, jackpot, deck, pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full-house, four of a kind, royal flush, misere chess, draughts, checkers, checquers, backgammon, dominos, merelles, nine men's morris, go bang, solitaire, game of fox and goose, monopoly, loto, scrabble, scribbage, boggle, crossword puzzle, hangman, morra, gambling, toy, plaything, bauble, doll, teetotum, knickknack, magic lantern, peep show, puppet show, raree show, gallanty show, toy shop, quips and cranks and wanton wiles, nods and becks and wreathed smiles, entertainer, showman, showgirl, dancer, tap dancer, song-and-dance man, vaudeville act, singer, musician, sportsman, gamester, reveler, master of ceremonies, master of revels, pompom girl, arbiter elegantiarum, arbiter bibendi, archer, fan, toxophilite, turfman, amusing, entertaining, diverting, recreational, recreative, lusory, pleasant, laughable, witty, fun, festive, festal, jovial, jolly, jocund, roguish, rompish, playful, playful as a kitten, sportive, ludibrious, funny, very funny, hilarious, uproarious, side-splitting, amused, pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw, laughing, risible, ready to burst, ready to split, ready to die with laughter, convulsed with laughter, rolling in the aisles, on the light fantastic toe, at play, in sport, Int, vive la bagatelle!, vogue la galere!, deus nobis haec otia fecit, dum vivimus vivamus, dulce est desipere in loco, (every room) hath blazed with lights and brayed wi, misce stullitiam consiliis brevem.

Recoil

N recoil, reaction, retroaction, revulsion, bounce, rebound, ricochet, repercussion, recalcitration, kick, contrecoup, springing back, elasticity, reflection, reflexion, reflex, reflux, reverberation, rebuff, repulse, return, ducks and drakes, boomerang, spring, reactionist, elastic collision, coefficient of restitution, recoiling, refluent, repercussive, recalcitrant, reactionary, retroactive, on the rebound, on the recoil, for every action there is a reaction, equal in force and opposite in direction.