Reiz

Reiz is a German noun that denotes a stimulus capable of eliciting a response, or more generally an attraction or lure that prompts interest or action. Depending on context, the word can refer to a sensory input such as light, sound, touch, or smell, as well as to a figurative trigger, such as a promotional appeal or a temptation.

Etymology and related forms: The term derives from the German verb reizen, meaning to provoke, excite, or entice. The noun appears in compound forms such as Reizschwelle (stimulus threshold) and Reizung (irritation or stimulation). The related adjective reizvoll means attractive or appealing, while reizend is commonly used to denote something charming in everyday language.

Usage in science and medicine: In physiology and psychology, a Reiz is any sensory input that can be detected and processed by the nervous system. Common categories include mechanical, thermal, chemical, and electrical Reize. The concept is central to discussions of sensation, perception, and reflexes, and is often contrasted with the organism’s reaction or behavior. Medical and clinical contexts may refer to Reizung (irritation) when a stimulus causes irritation or inflammation.

Usage in everyday language: In colloquial usage, Reiz can describe something that provokes interest or desire, as in the “Reiz der Werbung” (the appeal of advertising) or the “Reiz eines neuen Angebots” (the lure of a new offer). It also appears in set phrases such as “Reize wahrnehmen” (to perceive stimuli) or “Reizschwelle überschreiten” (to exceed the stimulus threshold).

See also: Anreiz, Reizung, Reizschwelle, Reize.