recoil

Definitions

1. 1.To draw back, as from anything repugnant, distressing, alarming, or the like; to shrink. Shak.
2. 2.To turn or go back; to withdraw one's self; to retire. [Obs.] "To your bowers recoil." Spenser.
3. 3.To draw or go back. [Obs.] Spenser.
4. 4.A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking; as, the recoil of nature, or of the blood.
5. 5.The state or condition of having recoiled. The recoil from formalism is skepticism. F. W. Robertson.
6. 6.Specifically, the reaction or rebounding of a firearm when discharged. Recoil dynamometer (Gunnery), an instrument for measuring the force of the recoil of a firearm. -- Recoil escapement See the Note under Escapement.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "recoil" mean?
• What is another word for "recoil"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is recoil.

• What is to draw back, as from anything repugnant, distressing, alarming, or the like; to shrink. Shak called?
• What is to turn or go back; to withdraw one's self; to retire. [Obs.] "To your bowers recoil." Spenser called?
• What is a starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking; as, the recoil of nature, or of the blood called?
• What is the state or condition of having recoiled. The recoil from formalism is skepticism. F. W. Robertson called?