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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Recoil


RECOIL', verb intransitive

1. To move or start back; to roll back; as, a cannon recoils when fired; waves recoil from the shore.

2. To fall back; to retire.

3. To rebound; as, the blow recoils.

4. To retire; to flow back; as, the blood recoils with horror at the sight.

5. To start back; to shrink. Nature recoils at the bloody deed.

6. To return. The evil will recoil upon his own head.

RECOIL', verb transitive To drive back. [Not used.]

RECOIL', noun A starting or falling back; as the recoil of fire-arms; the recoil of nature of the blood.