v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Recoiled p. pr. & vb. n. Recoiling. ] [ OE. recoilen, F. reculer, fr. L. pref. re- re- + culus the fundament. The English word was perhaps influenced in form by accoil. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To start, roll, bound, spring, or fall back; to take a reverse motion; to be driven or forced backward; to return. [ 1913 Webster ]

Evil on itself shall back recoil. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The solemnity of her demeanor made it impossible . . . that we should recoil into our ordinary spirits. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To draw back, as from anything repugnant, distressing, alarming, or the like; to shrink. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To turn or go back; to withdraw one's self; to retire. [ Obs. ] “To your bowers recoil.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To draw or go back. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking; as, the recoil of nature, or of the blood. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state or condition of having recoiled. [ 1913 Webster ]

The recoil from formalism is skepticism. F. W. Robertson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Specifically, the reaction or rebounding of a firearm when discharged. [ 1913 Webster ]

Recoil dynamometer (Gunnery), an instrument for measuring the force of the recoil of a firearm. --
Recoil escapement. See the Note under Escapement. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, recoils. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In the manner of a recoil. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. reculement. ] Recoil. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]