English Explanatory Dictionary

recoil

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.
  2. The state or condition of having recoiled.
  3. The energy transmitted back to the shooter from a firearm which has fired. Recoil is a function of the weight of the weapon, the weight of the projectile, and the speed at which it leaves the muzzle.
  4. An escapement in which, after each beat, the scape-wheel recoils slightly.
verb
  1. To pull back, especially in disgust, horror or astonishment.
  2. To recoil before an opponent.
  3. Of a firearm: to quickly push back when fired.
  4. To retire, withdraw.

Pronunciation

/ˈɹiːkɔɪl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-recoil2.wav /ɹɪˈkɔɪl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-recoil1.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vininn126-recoil.wav

Word forms

recoil recoils recoiling recoiled recoyle

Etymology

From Old French reculer. Further from Latin re- + cūlus.

Synonyms

kick

Derived words

antirecoil counterrecoil nonrecoil recoilless recoil pad recoil spring recoil start subrecoil recoiler recoilingly unrecoiling
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