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¹ re·coil

Pronounced:

/rɪˈkojəl/

Function:

verb

Inflected forms:

re·coils; re·coiled; re·coil·ing

Meaning:

[no obj] 1 : to quickly move away from something that is shocking, frightening, or disgusting : to react to something with shock or fear ▪ We recoiled in horror at the sight of his wounded arm. ▪ He recoiled from her touch. —often used figuratively ▪ We recoiled at the prospect of having to spend that much money to fix the car.

2 of a gun : to move back suddenly when fired ▪ The rifle recoiled and bruised my shoulder.

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