The Only Use of
recoil
in
Othello, the Moor of Venice
- Ay, there's the point:—as,—to be bold with you,— Not to affect many proposed matches, Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, Whereto we see in all things nature tends,— Foh! one may smell in such a will most rank, Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural:— But pardon me: I do not in position Distinctly speak of her; though I may fear, Her will, recoiling to her better judgement, May fall to match you with her country forms, And happily repent.†
Scene 3.3
Definition:
-
(recoil) to move backward suddenly (sometimes figuratively)especially:
- the backward jerk of a gun or cannon when it is fired
- when a person flinches (suddenly draws back) from someone or something, as with fear, disgust, or pain
- when a person is emotionally repulsed, as by disgust
- when something intended to go in one direction figuratively falls back in the opposite direction; for example, a story told to hurt someone that comes back to hurt the teller