recoil
n 1: the backward jerk of a gun when it is fired [syn: {kick}]
2: a movement back from an impact [syn: {repercussion}, {rebound},
{backlash}]
v 1: draw back, as with fear [syn: {flinch}, {squinch}, {funk}, {cringe},
{shrink}, {wince}, {quail}]
2: spring back; spring away from an impact; "The rubber ball
bounced" [syn: {bounce}, {take a hop}, {spring}, {bound},
{rebound}, {ricochet}]
3: spring back, as from a forceful thrust; "The gun kicked back
into my shoulder" [syn: {kick back}, {kick}]