Recoil Definition
rĭ-koil
recoiled, recoiling, recoils
verb
recoiled, recoiling, recoils
To draw back, fall back, or stagger back; retreat.
Webster's New World
To fly back when released, as a spring, or kick back when fired, as a gun.
Webster's New World
To start or shrink back, as in fear, surprise, or disgust.
Webster's New World
To return to or as to the starting point or source; react (on or upon)
Webster's New World
(intransitive, now rare) To retreat before an opponent. [from 14th c.]
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
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noun
The act of recoiling.
Webster's New World
The backward action of a firearm upon firing.
American Heritage
The state of having recoiled; reaction.
Webster's New World
The distance through which a gun, spring, etc. recoils.
Webster's New World
A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.
The recoil of nature, or of the blood.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
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Other Word Forms of Recoil
Noun
Singular:
recoil
Plural:
recoilsOrigin of Recoil
-
Middle English recoilen from Old French reculer re- re- cul buttocks (from Latin cūlus (s)keu- in Indo-European roots)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French reculer.
From Wiktionary
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