Recoiled: meaning, definitions and examples
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recoiled
[ rɪˈkɔɪld ]
physical reaction
To recoil means to spring back or flinch due to shock, fear, or disgust. This action often occurs involuntarily in response to a sudden stimulus that provokes a strong emotional or physical reaction. Recoiling can be a reflexive movement, indicating a person's immediate reaction to something that is perceived as frightening or repulsive. It can also metaphorically describe someone withdrawing from a situation or emotion.
Synonyms
bounce back, flinch, shrink, withdraw.
Examples of usage
- She recoiled at the sight of the snake.
- The loud noise made him recoil in surprise.
- After hearing the news, he recoiled from his previous excitement.
- The horror movie made the audience recoil in fear.
Etymology
The word 'recoil' originates from the Middle English term 'recoilen', which stemmed from the Old French 'recoillir', meaning 'to recover' or 'to draw back'. The Old French itself derives from the Latin 'recoilere', where 're-' means 'back' and 'colligere' means 'to gather'. The evolution of the word reflects its physical connotation, emphasizing the act of retreating or pulling back from something. This concept has remained consistent over centuries, extending to emotional and metaphorical contexts in modern English usage. 'Recoil' has thus served both physical and emotional interpretations, illustrating the breadth of human reactions to stimuli.