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react
This term describes a response triggered by an external stimulus, whether the trigger is emotional, biological, or chemical. It implies a causal link where an action is a direct consequence of a preceding event, often suggesting a lack of premeditation or a reflexive nature. In scientific contexts, the word shifts from a behavioral response to a structural transformation. It describes the process where substances interact to form new chemical bonds, emphasizing the volatility or stability of the materials involved.
Meanings
To behave or respond in a particular way as a result of something that has happened.
"He reacted with anger when he heard the news."
To undergo a chemical change when brought into contact with another substance.
"Sodium reacts violently with water."
To respond to a stimulus or a change in environment, often in a physical or biological sense.
"The pupils of the eye react to changes in light intensity."