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| re·coil [ ri kóyl ] |
intransitive verb (past and past participle re·coiled, present participle re·coil·ing, 3rd person present singular re·coils) |
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| Definition: |
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1. move back suddenly: to move back suddenly and violently, e.g. after an impact
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2. feel horror: to react instinctively with fear, horror, disgust, or distaste
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3. physics change momentum: to experience a change in momentum as a result of a nuclear collision or the emission of an elementary particle
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noun (plural re·coils) |
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| Definition: |
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1. sudden backward movement: a sudden and violent backward movement, especially that of a firearm when it is fired
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2. movement away in horror: a movement back or away from something, especially in horror or disgust
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3. physics change in momentum: a change in the momentum of an atom, nucleus, or elementary particle as a result of a nuclear collision or the emission of an elementary particle
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| [12th century. < French reculer< Latin culus "buttocks"] |
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| Word Key: Synonyms |
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recoil, flinch, quail, shrink, wince
CORE MEANING: to react in fear or distaste
recoil to move back suddenly and violently, or react instinctively with fear, horror, disgust, or distaste;
 As he leaned toward her, she instinctively recoiled.
She recoiled from the sight of the dead animal.
flinch to make an involuntary small backward movement in response to pain or something frightening or shocking;
He flinched at the needle's prick.
I'm not a coward, and I don't flinch from facing trouble.
quail to tremble with or feel fear or apprehension;
Her voice was strong and firm, but she quailed inwardly.
Preston quailed at the thought of being caught.
shrink to move back and away, especially out of disgust, fear, or horror, or be unwilling or reluctant to do something, especially something difficult or unpleasant;
She shrank away from the intruder in terror.
It was not the work I shrank from, but the lack of freedom that the job entailed.
wince to make an involuntary movement away from something because of pain or fear, or feel embarrassment;
He shook his head and winced as she touched the cut.
Charles winced at the thought of what he was going to do. |
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