reaction

reaction
reaction
Since the later part of the 20c reaction has been used to mean little more than ‘first impression’ or ‘initial response’:

• ‘I became more and more infatuated with that image as I grew older,’ Rowan said and looked at me for some kind of reaction —fiction website, AmE 2005 [OEC].

To do the word justice, it should involve some element of reacting to something that affects the person having (or asked to have) the reaction, rather than simply to passive hearing or reading of information. But the weakened meaning is well established, especially in the world of radio and television interviews: What is your reaction to the extension of VAT to domestic fuel?

Modern English usage. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • réaction — [ reaksjɔ̃ ] n. f. • 1690; de re et action I ♦ Sc. 1 ♦ Mécan. Force qu un corps agissant sur un autre détermine en retour chez celui ci. Principe de l égalité de l action et de la réaction (énoncé par Newton) :un corps qui exerce sur un autre une …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Reaction — Réaction Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Reaction — Re*ac tion (r[ e]*[a^]k sh[u^]n), n. [Cf. F. r[ e]action.] 1. Any action in resisting other action or force; counter tendency; movement in a contrary direction; reverse action. [1913 Webster] 2. (Chem.) The mutual or reciprocal action of chemical …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Réaction! — Réaction ! Réaction ! Saison 1 Épisode n°16 Titre original The Peanut Reaction Code de production 116 1e diffusion aux É. U. 12 mai 2008 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Réaction ! — Réaction ! Saison 1 Épisode n°16 Titre original The Peanut Reaction Code de production 116 1e diffusion aux É. U. 12 mai 2008 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • reaction — (n.) 1610s, from RE (Cf. re ) again, anew + ACTION (Cf. action) (q.v.). Modeled on Fr. réaction, older It. reattione, from M.L. reactionem (nom. reactio), from L.L. react , pp. stem of reagere react, from re …   Etymology dictionary

  • reaction — I (opposition) noun backfire, backlash, challenge, clash, conflict, contradiction, contrariety, countertendency, differences, disagreement, disapprobation, discountenance, expression of disapproval, objection, offset, polarity, protest, rebound,… …   Law dictionary

  • reaction — [n1] response acknowledgment, answer, attitude, backfire, backlash, back talk*, boomerang*, comeback, compensation, counteraction, counterbalance, counterpoise, double take*, echo, feedback, feeling, hit, kick, kickback, knee jerk*, lip*, opinion …   New thesaurus

  • Reaction — (v. lat.), 1) so v.w. Gegenbewegung, Gegendruck, Gegenwirkung, d.h. eine rückwirkende Thätigkeit, welche überall stattfindet, wo entgegengesetzte Kräfte einander entgegen wirken u. sich ins Gleichgewicht zu setzen suchen. 2) Die Erscheinung, daß… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Reaction — Reaction, Gegenwirkung, Gegenbewegung …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

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