recoil

  1. Noun.  (context, firearms) The amount of 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.
  2. Verb.  To pull back, especially in disgust, horror or astonishment.
  3. Verb.  (obsolete, intransitive) To retire, withdraw.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.