ricochet
[ rik-uh-shey, rik-uh-shey or, especially British, rik-uh-shet ]
/ ˈrɪk əˌʃeɪ, ˌrɪk əˈʃeɪ or, especially British, ˈrɪk əˌʃɛt /
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noun
the motion of an object or a projectile in rebounding or deflecting from a surface one or more times as a result of a glancing blow.
verb (used without object), ric·o·cheted [rik-uh-sheyd, rik-uh-sheyd], /ˈrɪk əˌʃeɪd, ˌrɪk əˈʃeɪd/, ric·o·chet·ing [rik-uh-shey-ing, rik-uh-shey-ing] /ˈrɪk əˌʃeɪ ɪŋ, ˌrɪk əˈʃeɪ ɪŋ/ or (especially British) ric·o·chet·ted [rik-uh-shet-id], /ˈrɪk əˌʃɛt ɪd/, ric·o·chet·ting [rik-uh-shet-ing]. /ˈrɪk əˌʃɛt ɪŋ/.
to move by rebounding or deflecting from a surface, as a projectile.
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Origin of ricochet
First recorded in 1760–70; from French; further origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ricochet in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ricochet
ricochet
/ (ˈrɪkəˌʃeɪ, ˈrɪkəˌʃɛt) /
verb -chets, -cheting (-ˌʃeɪɪŋ), -cheted (-ˌʃeɪd), -chets, -chetting (-ˌʃɛtɪŋ) or -chetted (-ˌʃɛtɪd)
(intr) (esp of a bullet) to rebound from a surface or surfaces, usually with a characteristic whining or zipping sound
noun
the motion or sound of a rebounding object, esp a bullet
an object, esp a bullet, that ricochets
Word Origin for ricochet
C18: from French, of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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