Backfire Definition
băkfīr
backfired, backfires, backfiring
noun
An explosion of prematurely ignited fuel or of unburned exhaust gases in an internal-combustion engine.
American Heritage
A fire started to stop an advancing prairie fire or forest fire by creating a burned area in its path.
Webster's New World
The backward escape of gases or cartridge fragments when a gun is fired.
American Heritage
A premature ignition of fuel or an explosion of unburned exhaust gases in an internal-combustion engine, sometimes preventing the completion of the compression stroke and reversing the direction of the piston.
Webster's New World
A fire started in the path of an oncoming fire in order to deprive it of fuel and thereby control or extinguish it.
American Heritage
verb
backfired, backfires, backfiring
To explode in the manner of or make the sound of a backfire.
American Heritage
To use or set a backfire.
Webster's New World
To start or use a backfire in extinguishing or controlling a forest fire.
American Heritage
To explode as a backfire.
Webster's New World
To produce an unexpected, undesired result.
American Heritage
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