Meaning of recoil in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions

  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 »

    Derived terms

  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 »

    Derived terms

  3. 3. spring back, as from a forceful thrust

    Examples

    • « The gun kicked back into my shoulder »

    Derived terms

  4. Noun

    recoil

    Definitions

    1. the backward jerk of a gun when it is fired

    Derived terms

  5. 2. a movement back from an impact

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another. »
    Arthur Conan Doyle

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