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recoil
[ verb ri-koil; noun ree-koil, ri-koil ]
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.
Synonyms: rebound
- 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.
recoil
verb
- 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 byon 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
- the backward movement of a gun when fired
- the distance moved
- the motion acquired by a particle as a result of its emission of a photon or other particle
- the act of recoiling
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Derived Forms
- reˈcoiler, noun
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Other Words From
- re·coiling·ly adverb
- non·recoil noun
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of recoil1
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
Your foulness no longer surprises you, but you have realized its power when you encounter clean soldiers and you both recoil.
“Technically, all guns have recoil,” Steve told me via email.
I noticed when watching Biathlon that the guns seem to have no recoil when fired.
Erupting into spontaneous song and having strangers fully embrace it rather than recoil?
These women do not like being beaten, and I literally recoil whenever I hear others blame them for staying.
Danton began to recoil from the gulf opening before him, and wished to return to alliance with the Girondists.
A slight tremor passed over the whiteness of her face; he took it for the vibration of some spiritual recoil.
May this blood recoil upon those who are really guilty of those crimes.
When the enemy approached, one or two volleys caused his column to recoil in confusion.
The recoil staggered him, but he recovered himself without going over, and instantly roared out a horse-laugh.
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