Meaning of recoil in English

1. Pronunciation

   /rəˈkɔɪl/

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1. Verb

   recoil

   Etymology

   Middle English (denoting the act of retreating): from Old French reculer‘move back’, based on Latin culus‘buttocks’

   Definitions

   1. draw back, as with fear or pain

   Examples

   • « she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf »
2. 2. spring back

   Examples

   • « spring away from an impact »
   • « The rubber ball bounced »
   • « These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide »
3. 3. spring back, as from a forceful thrust

   Examples

   • « The gun kicked back into my shoulder »

4. Noun

   recoil

   Definitions

   1. the backward jerk of a gun when it is fired
5. 2. a movement back from an impact