/ ˌriːpəˈkʌʃn; NAmE -pərˈk-/ noun
[ usually pl. ] an indirect and usually bad result of an action or event that may happen some time afterwards
SYN consequence :
The collapse of the company will have repercussions for the whole industry.
➡ note at effect
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a medical term meaning repressing of infection ): from Old French , or from Latin repercussio(n-) , from repercutere cause to rebound, push back, from re- back, again + percutere to strike. The early sense driving back, rebounding (mid 16th cent.) gave rise later to blow given in return , which led to the current sense (early 20th cent.).