Recoil Definition
rĭ-koil
recoiled, recoiling, recoils
verb
recoiled, recoiling, recoils
To draw back, fall back, or stagger back; retreat.
Webster's New World
To fly back when released, as a spring, or kick back when fired, as a gun.
Webster's New World
To start or shrink back, as in fear, surprise, or disgust.
Webster's New World
To return to or as to the starting point or source; react (on or upon)
Webster's New World
(intransitive, now rare) To retreat before an opponent. [from 14th c.]
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
noun
The act of recoiling.
Webster's New World
The backward action of a firearm upon firing.
American Heritage
The state of having recoiled; reaction.
Webster's New World
The distance through which a gun, spring, etc. recoils.
Webster's New World
A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.
The recoil of nature, or of the blood.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Recoil
Noun
Singular:
recoil
Plural:
recoilsOrigin of Recoil
-
Middle English recoilen from Old French reculer re- re- cul buttocks (from Latin cūlus (s)keu- in Indo-European roots)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French reculer.
From Wiktionary
Recoil Is Also Mentioned In
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to recoil using the buttons below.