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Added 9 October 2026

recoil

/ˈɹiːkɔɪl/ noun

In Latin: recellō Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about recoil at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.
the recoil of nature, or of the blood
The state or condition of having recoiled.
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.

verb

To pull back, especially in disgust, horror or astonishment. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
He recoiled in disgust when he saw the mess.
To recoil before an opponent.
Of a firearm: to quickly push back when fired.

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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