recoil
[ verb ri-koil; noun ree-koil, ri-koil ]
/ verb rɪˈkɔɪl; noun ˈriˌkɔɪl, rɪˈkɔɪl /
verb (used without object)
to draw back; start or shrink back, as in alarm, horror, or disgust.
to spring or fly back, as in consequence of force of impact or the force of the discharge, as a firearm.
to spring or come back; react (usually followed by on or upon): Plots frequently recoil upon the plotters.
Physics.
(of an atom, a nucleus, or a particle) to undergo a change in momentum as a result either of a collision with an atom, a nucleus, or a particle or of the emission of a particle.
noun
an act of recoiling.
the distance through which a weapon moves backward after discharging.
Origin of recoil
synonym study for recoil
1. See
wince1.
OTHER WORDS FROM recoil
re·coil·ing·ly, adverb non·re·coil, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH recoil
re-coil recoilWords nearby recoil
Definition for recoil (2 of 2)
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH re-coil
re-coil recoilExample sentences from the Web for recoil
British Dictionary definitions for recoil
recoil
verb (rɪˈkɔɪl) (intr)
to jerk back, as from an impact or violent thrust
(often foll by from)
to draw back in fear, horror, or disgust
to recoil from the sight of blood
(foll by on or upon)
to go wrong, esp so as to hurt the perpetrator
(of a nucleus, atom, molecule, or elementary particle) to change momentum as a result of the emission of a photon or particle
noun (rɪˈkɔɪl, ˈriːkɔɪl)
Derived forms of recoil
recoiler, nounWord Origin for recoil
C13: from Old French
reculer, from
re- +
cul rump, from Latin
cūlus