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misfire definition

mis·fire (mis fīr′)

intransitive verb misfired -·fired′, misfiring -·fir′·ing

  1. to fail to ignite properly or at the right time: said of an internal-combustion engine
  2. to fail to go off, or be discharged: said of a firearm, missile, etc.
  3. to fail to achieve a desired effect

Etymology: mis- + fire, v.

noun

an act or instance of misfiring

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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