Recoil — Defs

01 v. i. To start, roll, bound, spring, or fall back; to take a reverse motion; to be driven or forced backward; to return.

imp. & p. p. Recoiled; p. pr. & vb. n. Recoiling

1.
To start, roll, bound, spring, or fall back; to take a reverse motion; to be driven or forced backward; to return.
“Evil on itself shall back recoil.” — Milton.

“The solemnity of her demeanor made it impossible . . . that we should recoil into our ordinary spirits.” — De Quincey.
2.
To draw back, as from anything repugnant, distressing, alarming, or the like; to shrink.
3.
To turn or go back; to withdraw one's self; to retire.[Obs.]

02 v. t. To draw or go back.

03 n. A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking; as, the recoil of nature, or of the blood.

1.
A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking; as, the recoil of nature, or of the blood.
2.
The state or condition of having recoiled.
“The recoil from formalism is skepticism.” — F. W. Robertson.
3.
Specifically, the reaction or rebounding of a firearm when discharged.

Phrases & compounds

Recoil dynamometer — an instrument for measuring the force of the recoil of a firearm.

Recoil escapement — See the Note under Escapement.