recoil

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: kickrepercussionreboundbacklashflinchsquinchfunkcringeshrinkwincequailbackfire

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. the backward jerk of a gun when it is firedSynonyms: kick
  2. a movement back from an impactSynonyms: repercussionreboundbacklash

Verb (4)

  1. draw back, as with fear or pain“she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf”Synonyms: flinchsquinchfunkcringeshrinkwincequail
  2. come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect“Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble”Synonyms: backfirebacklash
  3. spring back; spring away from an impact“The rubber ball bounced”“These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide”Synonyms: bounceresiletake a hopspringboundreboundreverberatericochet
  4. spring back, as from a forceful thrust“The gun kicked back into my shoulder”Synonyms: kick backkick
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Recoil \Re*coil"\ (r[-e]*koil"), v. t. To draw or go back. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
Recoil \Re*coil"\, n.

1.A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking; as, the recoil of nature, or of the blood. [1913 Webster]

2.The state or condition of having recoiled. [1913 Webster]

The recoil from formalism is skepticism.— F. W. Robertson.[1913 Webster]

3.Specifically, the reaction or rebounding of a firearm when discharged. [1913 Webster]

Recoil dynamometer (Gunnery), an instrument for measuring the force of the recoil of a firearm.

Recoil escapement. See the Note under Escapement. [1913 Webster]

Recoil \Re*coil"\ (r[-e]*koil"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Recoiled (r[-e]*koild"); p. pr. & vb. n. Recoiling.] [OE. recoilen, F. reculer, fr. L. pref. re- re- + culus the fundament. The English word was perhaps influenced in form by accoil.] [1913 Webster]

1.To start, roll, bound, spring, or fall back; to take a reverse motion; to be driven or forced backward; to return. [1913 Webster]

Evil on itself shall back recoil.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
The solemnity of her demeanor made it impossible . . . that we should recoil into our ordinary spirits.— De Quincey.[1913 Webster]

2.To draw back, as from anything repugnant, distressing, alarming, or the like; to shrink. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3.To turn or go back; to withdraw one's self; to retire. [Obs.] "To your bowers recoil." --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

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