ricocheting
UK[ˈrɪkəʃeɪɪŋ]US[ˈrɪkəʃeɪɪŋ]
v
(of a bullet, stone, or other projectile) to rebound one or more times off a surface.
v
(of an idea, statement, or activity) to have an unexpected and often continuing effect after the initial event.
Etymology
The word 'ricochet' entered English in the 18th century from the French military term 'ricochet', which described the skipping or rebounding of a projectile, particularly off water. The French term's own origin is uncertain but is likely related to the Old French verb 'ricocher', meaning 'to repeat' or 'to skip'. This etymological thread suggests a core concept of a repeated, glancing action. The modern English verb 'ricocheting' retains this fundamental sense of a swift, unpredictable rebound, which has been metaphorically extended to describe the unintended and cascading consequences of actions or statements.
Analysis
The word is a loanword from French, adopted as a single lexical unit. Its internal French morphemes are not productively segmentable in modern English spelling or usage.
Examples
The bullet went ricocheting off the concrete wall with a sharp whine.
His careless comment went ricocheting around the office, causing widespread resentment.
We could hear stones ricocheting down the cliff face.