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recoil

Pronunciation: /ˈɹiːkɔɪl/

The English word “recoil” has 8 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.
  2. The state or condition of having recoiled.
  3. The energy transmitted back to the shooter from a firearm which has fired. Recoil is a function of the weight of the weapon, the weight of the projectile, and the speed at which it leaves the muzzle.
  4. An escapement in which, after each beat, the scape-wheel recoils slightly.

verb

  1. To pull back, especially in disgust, horror or astonishment.
  2. To recoil before an opponent.
  3. Of a firearm: to quickly push back when fired.
  4. To retire, withdraw.

Etymology

From Old French reculer. Further from Latin re- + cūlus.

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