BACKLASH

backlash

(noun) an adverse reaction to some political or social occurrence; ā€œthere was a backlash of intoleranceā€

recoil, repercussion, rebound, backlash

(noun) a movement back from an impact

backfire, backlash, recoil

(verb) come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect; ā€œYour comments may backfire and cause you a lot of troubleā€; ā€œthe political movie backlashed on the Democratsā€

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

backlash (countable and uncountable, plural backlashes)

A sudden backward motion.

(figurative) A negative reaction, objection or outcry, especially of a violent or abrupt nature.

(mechanics) The distance through which one part of connected machinery, as a wheel, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, resulting from looseness in fitting or from wear.

The jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion.

Verb

backlash (third-person singular simple present backlashes, present participle backlashing, simple past and past participle backlashed)

To cause or set off a backlash.

Anagrams

• black ash

Source: Wiktionary


Back"lash`, n. Etym: [Back , adv. + lash.] (Mech.)

Definition: The distance through which one part of connected machinery, as a wheel, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, resulting from looseness in fitting or from wear; also, the jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

26 February 2025

ACRIMONIOUS

(adjective) marked by strong resentment or cynicism; ā€œan acrimonious disputeā€; ā€œbitter about the divorceā€


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