recoil
[ verb ri-koil; noun ree-koil, ri-koil ]
/ verb rɪˈkɔɪl; noun ˈriˌkɔɪl, rɪˈkɔɪl /
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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.
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Origin of recoil
synonym study for recoil
1. See wince1.
OTHER WORDS FROM recoil
re·coil·ing·ly, adverbnon·re·coil, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH recoil
re-coil, recoilOther definitions for recoil (2 of 2)
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH re-coil
re-coil , recoilDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use recoil in a sentence
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 disgustto 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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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