recoil
UK[rɪˈkɔɪl]US[rɪˈkɔɪl]
v
to suddenly move back because of fear or disgust
v
to react to an idea or situation with strong dislike or fear
n
the sudden backward movement of a gun when it is fired
Morpheme Breakdown
re
coil
re
back, again
coil
to gather, wind
Etymology
the word "recoil" entered english in the late 13th century from old french reculer, meaning "to retreat, draw back". the french term itself is a compound of the prefix re- (back) and cul (backside, from latin culus), implying a literal backward motion. the english spelling and modern sense were influenced by the separate verb "coil", from latin coligere (to collect), which by the 16th century had acquired the meaning "to wind or gather into a spiral". thus, the modern word "recoil" fuses the idea of moving "back" with a sense of springing or winding back, perfectly describing the physical jerk of a gun or a figurative shrinking away in horror.
Analysis
Structure: re (back, again) + coil (to gather, wind)
re: latin origin, a prefix meaning "back" or "again".
coil: latin origin, from coligere meaning "to gather together", which evolved in french to coillir (to gather, pick) and later in english to mean "to wind into rings".
Examples
she recoiled in horror at the sight of the spider.
his mind recoiled from the terrible memory.
the rifle has a strong recoil that can surprise new shooters.