recoil means A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, recoil ranks #7,100 of 14,440 for Most Satisfying to Say, #7,102 of 14,448 for Funniest Words, #7,152 of 14,445 for Most Beautiful Words, #7,518 of 14,431 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound.
recoil is pronounced /ˈɹiːkɔɪl/.
Why “recoil” is a great word
To spring or shrink back involuntarily, from sudden shock, force, horror, or disgust. From Old French reculer ('to retreat, move back'), from Latin re- ('back') + cūlus ('backside, rear'). Unlike a "flinch" (a slight, sharp wince from pain) or a "retreat" (a measured, strategic withdrawal), recoil is a full-bodied, convulsive surrender of ground. It is the whole body jerking away from a sudden flame, the gun slamming into the shoulder with its own violent energy, the soul physically cringing from a grotesque truth—a stark, visceral argument against the world's unbearable intrusions, a bodily vote of no confidence in the immediate present.
Etymology
From Old French reculer. Further from Latin re- + cūlus.
noun
- A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.“the recoil of nature, or of the blood”
- The state or condition of having recoiled.“The recoil from formalism is skepticism.”
- 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.
- An escapement in which, after each beat, the scape-wheel recoils slightly.
verb
- To pull back, especially in disgust, horror or astonishment.“He recoiled in disgust when he saw the mess.”
- To recoil before an opponent.“that rude rout […] forced them, how ever strong and stout / They were, as well approv'd in many a doubt, / Backe to recule […]”
- Of a firearm: to quickly push back when fired.
- To retire, withdraw.“Ye both forwearied be: therefore a whyle / Iread you rest, and to your bowres recoyle.”
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