The use of âholidayâ to mean âa missed spotâ appears to be that rarity in English etymology, a word or phrase that actually has a nautical origin. The original use of âholidayâ in the âmissed a spotâ sense, back in the 18th century, was in reference to crew members painting the decks of a ship or âpayingâ (sealing seams with tar or pitch) its hull.
The knee jerk reflex is when a tendon above the kneecap is tapped with a reflex hammer, which causes the whole leg to involuntarily jerk.
knee reflex knee jerk. light reflex. 1. constriction of the pupil when a light is shone into the same (direct light reflex) or the opposite eye (indirect or consensual light reflex). 2. a luminous image reflected when light strikes the normal tympanic membrane.lung r's Hering-Breuer reflexes.. contraction of the pupil on exposure of the retina to light. 2. any reflex involving the iris, resulting in change in the size of the pupil, occurring in response to various stimuli, e.g., change in illumination or point of fixation, sudden loud noise, or emotional stimulation.