re-coil


re-coil

(riˈkɔɪl)

v.t., v.i. to coil again. [1860–65]

re•coil

(v. rɪˈkɔɪl; n. ˈriˌkɔɪl, rɪˈkɔɪl)
v.i. 1. to start or shrink back, as in alarm, horror, or disgust. 2. to spring or fly back, as in consequence of force of impact or of a discharge of ammunition: The rifle recoiled with a powerful slam. 3. to spring or come back; rebound (usu. fol. by on or upon): plots recoiling upon the plotters. 4. to undergo a change in momentum as a result either of a collision with an atom, a nucleus, or a particle or of the emission of a particle. n. 5. the act or an instance of recoiling. 6. the distance through which a weapon moves backward after discharging. [1175–1225; Middle English recoilen, reculen < Old French reculer=re- re- + -culer, v. derivative of cul rump] syn: See wince.