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.
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   2. (Chem.) The mutual or reciprocal action of chemical agents
      upon each other, or the action upon such chemical agents
      of some form of energy, as heat, light, or electricity,
      resulting in a chemical change in one or more of these
      agents, with the production of new compounds or the
      manifestation of distinctive characters. See Blowpipe
      reaction, Flame reaction, under Blowpipe, and
      Flame.
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   3. (Med.) An action induced by vital resistance to some other
      action; depression or exhaustion of vital force consequent
      on overexertion or overstimulation; heightened activity
      and overaction succeeding depression or shock.
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   4. (Mech.) The force which a body subjected to the action of
      a force from another body exerts upon the latter body in
      the opposite direction.
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            Reaction is always equal and opposite to action,
            that is to say, the actions of two bodies upon each
            other are always equal and in opposite directions.
                                                  --Sir I.
                                                  Newton (3d Law
                                                  of Motion).
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   5. (Politics) Backward tendency or movement after revolution,
      reform, or great progress in any direction.
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            The new king had, at the very moment at which his
            fame and fortune reached the highest point,
            predicted the coming reaction.        --Macaulay.
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   6. (Psycophysics) A regular or characteristic response to a
      stimulation of the nerves.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   7. An action by a person or people in response to an event.
      The reaction may be primarily mental (" a reaction of
      surprise") but is usually manifested by some activity.
      [PJC]

   Reaction time (Physiol.), in nerve physiology, the interval
      between the application of a stimulus to an end organ of
      sense and the reaction or resulting movement; -- called
      also physiological time.

   Reaction wheel (Mech.), a water wheel driven by the
      reaction of water, usually one in which the water,
      entering it centrally, escapes at its periphery in a
      direction opposed to that of its motion by orifices at
      right angles, or inclined, to its radii.
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Water wheel \Wa"ter wheel`\
   1. Any wheel for propelling machinery or for other purposes,
      that is made to rotate by the direct action of water; --
      called an overshot wheel when the water is applied at
      the top, an undershot wheel when at the bottom, a
      breast wheel when at an intermediate point; other forms
      are called reaction wheel, vortex wheel, turbine
      wheel, etc.
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   2. The paddle wheel of a steam vessel.
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   3. A wheel for raising water; a noria, or the like.
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