Definition: recoil

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

recoil
     n 1: the backward jerk of a gun when it is fired [syn: kick]
     2: a movement back from an impact [syn: repercussion, rebound,
         backlash]
     v 1: draw back, as with fear [syn: flinch, squinch, funk, cringe,
           shrink, wince, quail]
     2: spring back; spring away from an impact; "The rubber ball
        bounced"; "These particles do not resile but they unite
        after they collide" [syn: bounce, resile, take a hop,
         spring, bound, rebound, ricochet]
     3: spring back, as from a forceful thrust; "The gun kicked back
        into my shoulder" [syn: kick back, kick]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Recoil \Re*coil"\, v. t.
   To draw or go back. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Recoil \Re*coil"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Recoiled; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Recoiling.] [OE. recoilen, F. reculer, fr. L. pref. re-
   re- + culus the fundament. The English word was perhaps
   influenced in form by accoil.]
   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. --Shak.

   3. To turn or go back; to withdraw one's self; to retire.
      [Obs.] ``To your bowers recoil.'' --Spenser.
Recoil \Re*coil"\, n.
   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.

   Recoil dynamometer (Gunnery), an instrument for measuring
      the force of the recoil of a firearm.

   Recoil escapement See the Note under Escapement.