To move or start back; to roll back; as, a cannon recoils when fired; waves recoil from the shore.

To fall back; to retire.

To rebound; as, the blow recoils.

To retire; to flow back; as, the blood recoils with horror at the sight.

To start back; to shrink. Nature recoils at the bloody deed.

To return. The evil will recoil upon his own head.

To drive back.

A starting or falling back; as the recoil of fire-arms; the recoil of nature of the blood.