recoil
/ˈɹiːkɔɪl/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.19 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
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.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
An escapement in which, after each beat, the scape-wheel recoils slightly.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "the recoil of nature, or of the blood"
- "The recoil from formalism is skepticism."
- "He recoiled in disgust when he saw the mess."
- "For decades, humankind steeled itself for the rise of thinking machines. As we marveled at their ability to beat chess champions and predict protein structures, we also recoiled from their inherent uncanniness, not to mention the threats to our sense of humanity."
- "that rude rout […] forced them, how ever strong and stout / They were, as well approv'd in many a doubt, / Backe to recule […]"
- "Ye both forwearied be: therefore a whyle / Iread you rest, and to your bowres recoyle."
Etymology
From Old French reculer. Further from Latin re- + cūlus.