Recoil
[rɪ'kɒɪl] or ['rikɔɪl]
Definition
(noun.) a movement back from an impact.
(noun.) the backward jerk of a gun when it is fired.
Editor: Lois--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To start, roll, bound, spring, or fall back; to take a reverse motion; to be driven or forced backward; to return.
(v. i.) To draw back, as from anything repugnant, distressing, alarming, or the like; to shrink.
(v. i.) To turn or go back; to withdraw one's self; to retire.
(v. t.) To draw or go back.
(n.) A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking; as, the recoil of nature, or of the blood.
(n.) The state or condition of having recoiled.
(n.) Specifically, the reaction or rebounding of a firearm when discharged.
Typist: Marvin
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. [1]. Rebound, reverberate, react, spring back, fly back, bound back.[2]. Shrink, falter, fall, flinch, blench, draw back.
n. Resilience, rebound, reaction.
Inputed by Cherie
Definition
v.t. to start back: to rebound: to return: to shrink from.—n. a starting or springing back: rebound: an escapement in which after each beat the escape-wheel recoils slightly.—n. Recoil′er one who recoils.—adj. Recoil′ing.—adv. Recoil′ingly.—n. Recoil′ment.
Edited by Candice
Examples
- It is this same shock-absorbing device which is used to catch the recoil on the immense siege guns used in modern warfare. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Then, however, came a recoil. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- But compassion, in a moment, got the better of her instinctive recoil. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- The mind would recoil from Westminster to the customs of Benin. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- After full recoil, the gun is automatically returned to its forward position by the action of the coil springs, which are compressed during the recoil. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Now that you think me disqualified to become your husband, you recoil from my touch as if I were some toad or ape. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- The recoil of the gun in both large and small arms is now utilised to expel the fired cartridge shell, and to withdraw a fresh one from its magazine and place it in position in the chamber. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- But this base attempt to injure Mr. Pickwick recoiled upon the head of its calumnious author. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I looked at him attentively then, and recoiled a little from him; but I did not know him. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- In general she recoiled from touch or close approach with a mixture of embarrassment and coldness far from flattering to those who offered her aid. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- In one of those pauses she recoiled and cried out, for she saw a figure standing in the room. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- As he recoiled, looking down at it, it raised itself up into the form of a woman in a sitting attitude. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- That my soul recoiled from punch particularly. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Gerald was instinctively aware of this, and he recoiled, to avoid any such thing. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Fagin,' cried the girl, recoiling. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- I asked, recoiling from the brute, as Wemmick spat upon his eyebrow and gave it a rub with his sleeve. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- She moved convulsively, recoiling away from him. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Twelve miles down the river, and cut to pieces besides,' replied Bumble, recoiling at the thought. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Look here, says Tony, recoiling. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Recoiling upon herself, she became hard and self-completed, like a jewel. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Yes,' said Rose, recoiling a few steps, as if to be nearer assistance in case she should require it. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- My mind recoils from them. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- It made me sick at heart to see, and my hand recoils from writing it. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- The soul recoils from food at such a moment, miss. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Typed by Lloyd