4 uses
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Definition
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
- The coastguard ran aft, and when he came beside the wheel, bent over to examine it, and recoiled at once as though under some sudden emotion.Chapter 7 (33% in)
- Van Helsing forced back the leaden flange, and we all looked in and recoiled.Chapter 16 (7% in)
- She recoiled from it, and, with a suddenly distorted face, full of rage, dashed past him as if to enter the tomb.Chapter 16 (40% in)
- This, as we looked, trailed under the door, which with the recoil from its bursting open, had swung back to its old position.Chapter 21 (55% in)
There are no more uses of "recoil" in Dracula.
Typical Usage
(best examples)