verb , noun
■ verb / rɪˈkɔɪl; NAmE / [ v ]
1.
recoil (from sb/sth) | recoil (at sth) to move your body quickly away from sb/sth because you find them or it frightening or unpleasant
SYN flinch :
She recoiled from his touch.
He recoiled in horror at the sight of the corpse.
2.
recoil (from sth / from doing sth) | recoil (at sth) to react to an idea or a situation with strong dislike or fear
SYN shrink :
She recoiled from the idea of betraying her own brother.
3.
( of a gun ) to move suddenly backwards when you fire it
■ noun
/ ˈriːkɔɪl/ [ U , sing. ] a sudden movement backwards, especially of a gun when it is fired
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (denoting the act of retreating): from Old French reculer move back, based on Latin culus buttocks.