recoil

CEFRC1

/ˈɹiːkɔɪl/

verb · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To move back suddenly because of fear, shock, or force.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    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.

Examples

  • Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.

  • The recoil reduces the weapon's accuracy.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /ɹɪˈkɔɪl/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meaning

  1. The state or condition of having recoiled.

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.

  2. An escapement in which, after each beat, the scape-wheel recoils slightly.

More examples

In context

  • He recoiled in disgust when he saw the mess.

  • the recoil of nature, or of the blood

  • The recoil from formalism is skepticism.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

When she saw the spider, she couldn't help but blank in fear.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

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