Recoil /(rē̇*koil")/

imp. & p. p. Recoiled; p. pr. & vb. n. Recoiling

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.

   The solemnity of her demeanor made it impossible . . . that we should recoil into our ordinary spirits.

2. To draw back, as from anything repugnant, distressing, alarming, or the like; to shrink.
3. To turn or go back; to withdraw one's self; to retire. [Obs.]

1. To draw or go back. [Obs.]

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.

3. Specifically, the reaction or rebounding of a firearm when discharged.