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recoil

Syllabification: (re·coil)

Definition of recoil

Pronunciation: /riˈkoil/

[no object]

suddenly spring or flinch back in fear, horror, or disgust:he recoiled in horror
feel fear, horror, or disgust at the thought or prospect of something; shrink mentally:Renee felt herself recoil at the very thought
(of a gun) move abruptly backward as a reaction on firing a bullet, shell, or other missile.
rebound or spring back through force of impact or elasticity:the muscle has the ability to recoil
(recoil on/upon) (of an action) have an adverse reactive effect on (the originator):the soothsayers agreed that all the dangers would recoil on the heads of those who were in possession of the entrails

Origin:

Middle English (denoting the act of retreating): from Old French reculer 'move back', based on Latin culus 'buttocks'

Definition of recoil in the British & World English dictionary

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