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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Recoil \Re*coil"\ (r[-e]*koil"), verb (used without an object) [imp. & p. p. {Recoiled} (r[-e]*koild"); 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.
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |