recoil

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.

   “the recoil of nature, or of the blood”

2. (countable, uncountable)The state or condition of having recoiled.

   “The recoil from formalism is skepticism.”

3. (countable, uncountable)The energy transmitted back to the shooter from a firearm which has fired. Recoil is a function of the weight of the weapon, the weight of the projectile, and the speed at which it leaves the muzzle.
4. (countable, uncountable)An escapement in which, after each beat, the scape-wheel recoils slightly.

verb

1. (intransitive)To pull back, especially in disgust, horror or astonishment.

   “He recoiled in disgust when he saw the mess.”

   “For decades, humankind steeled itself for the rise of thinking machines. As we marveled at their ability to beat chess champions and predict protein structures, we also recoiled from their inherent uncanniness, not to mention the threats to our sense of humanity.”

2. (archaic, intransitive)To recoil before an opponent.

   “that rude rout […] forced them, how ever strong and stout / They were, as well approv'd in many a doubt, / Backe to recule […]”

3. (intransitive)Of a firearm: to quickly push back when fired.
4. (intransitive, obsolete)To retire, withdraw.

   “Ye both forwearied be: therefore a whyle / Iread you rest, and to your bowres recoyle.”

   “Thus vvhen this Courtly Gentleman vvith toyle / Himſelfe hath vvearied, he doth recoyle / Vnto his reſt, and there vvith ſvveete delight / Of Muſicks skill reuiues his toyled ſpright, […]”

   “Her will, recoiling to her better judgement”

   “Evil on itself shall back recoil.”

   “Manners knovvs diſtance, and a man unrude / VVo'd ſoon recoile, and not intrude / His Stomach to a ſecond Meale.”