reaction

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   doing something in opposition to another way of doing it that you don't like

   This style of painting was a reaction against cubism.

2. 2
   noun

   a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent

   a bad reaction to the medicine

3. 3
   noun

   an idea evoked by some experience

   Their reaction to the news was to start planning what to do.

4. 4
   noun

   extreme conservatism in political or social matters

   the forces of reaction carried the election

5. 5
   noun

   a response that reveals a person's feelings or attitude

   My reaction wasn't what it should have been, but I felt like I was put in a bad situation.

6. 6
   noun

   (mechanics) the equal and opposite force that is produced when any force is applied to a body

   every action has an equal and opposite reaction

7. 7
   noun

   (chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others

   there was a chemical reaction of the lime with the ground water

8. 8
   noun

   An action or statement in response to a stimulus or other event.

   The announcement of the verdict brought a violent reaction.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English reaccion, from Old French reaction, from Latin reāctiō, from the verb reagō, from re- (“again”) + agō (“to act”); more at re-, action; equivalent to react + -ion.