Pronunciation: /ˈriːflʌks/
noun
[mass noun]-
1 Chemistry the process of boiling a liquid so that any vapour is liquefied and returned to the stock: the mixture was heated at reflux under nitrogen
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2 technical the flowing back of a liquid, especially that of a fluid in the body: lying down tends to promote acid reflux [as modifier]: patients with reflux oesophagitis
verb
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1 [no object] Chemistry boil or cause to boil in circumstances such that the vapour returns to the stock of liquid after condensing: [no object]: the liquid is allowed to reflux until the thermometer records the lowest temperature possible [with object]: the solutions were refluxed for 9-12 hours
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2 [no object, with adverbial of direction] technical (of a liquid, especially a bodily fluid) flow back: acidic secretions of the stomach can reflux back upwards
