misfire

[ verb mis-fiuh r; noun mis-fahyuh r ]
/ verb mɪsˈfɪər; noun ˈmɪsˌfaɪər /

verb (used without object), mis·fired, mis·fir·ing.

(of a rifle or gun or of a bullet or shell) to fail to fire or explode.
(of an internal-combustion engine) to fail to ignite properly or when expected.
to fail to achieve the desired result, effect, etc.: His criticisms completely misfired.

noun

an act or instance of misfiring.

Origin of misfire

First recorded in 1745–55; mis-1 + fire

Example sentences from the Web for misfire

British Dictionary definitions for misfire

misfire
/ (ˌmɪsˈfaɪə) /

verb (intr)

(of a firearm or its projectile) to fail to fire, explode, or ignite as or when expected
(of a motor engine or vehicle, etc) to fail to fire at the appropriate time, often causing a backfire
to fail to operate or occur as intended

noun

the act or an instance of misfiring