Definition of Backlash

1. Noun. A movement back from an impact.

Exact synonyms: Rebound, Recoil, Repercussion
Generic synonyms: Motion, Movement
Specialized synonyms: Bounce, Bouncing, Resilience, Resiliency, Carom, Ricochet
Derivative terms: Rebound, Recoil

2. Verb. Come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect. "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble"
Exact synonyms: Backfire, Recoil
Generic synonyms: Come About, Fall Out, Go On, Hap, Happen, Occur, Pass, Pass Off, Take Place
Derivative terms: Backfire

3. Noun. An adverse reaction to some political or social occurrence. "There was a backlash of intolerance"
Generic synonyms: Reaction
Specialized synonyms: White Backlash, Whitelash

Definition of Backlash

1. n. 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.

Definition of Backlash

1. Noun. A sudden backward motion. ¹

2. Noun. A reaction, objection or outcry, especially of a violent or abrupt nature. ¹

3. Noun. (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. ¹

4. Noun. The jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion. ¹

5. Verb. To cause or set off a backlash. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Backlash

1. to cause a reaction [v -ED, -ING, -ES]

Medical Definition of Backlash

1. 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. Origin: Back, adv. + lash. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Backlash

backhoe
backhoed
backhoeing
backhoes
backhouse
backhouses
backing
backing band
backing up
backings
backjoint
backjoints
backjumping
backland
backlands
backlash (current term)
backlashed
backlasher
backlashers
backlashes
backlashing
backless
backlift
backlifts
backlight
backlighted
backlighting
backlights
backline
backlines

Literary usage of Backlash

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Creating Enemies of the State: Religious Persecution in Uzbekistan by Acacia Shields (2004)
"Brief Islamic Revival and Government backlash During the Soviet period, the state kept a tight rein on religious practice, including in Uzbekistan. ..."

2. No Turning Back: Generations and the Genderquake by Helen M. Wilkinson (1994)
"The backlash The extent to which women (especially younger women) have become part of a ‘backlash' against feminism has been written about widely by Demos ..."

3. Human Rights Watch World Report 2005: The Events of 2004 by Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Watch (Organization (2005)
"... OF A backlash: SEXUALITY AND THE "CULTURAL" WAR ON HUMAN RIGHTS by Scott Long What is at issue in cultural terms is a conflict of interest between the ..."

4. Kinematics: A Treatise on the Modification of Motion, as Affected by the by Charles William MacCord (1883)
"backlash, Clearance, Approaching and Receding Action.—Interchangeable Wheels.—Size of Describing Circle.—Rack and Pinion. 8. INSIDE SPUR GEARING. ..."

5. Speech: A Dialog by Tyrone D. Taborn (2005)
"After thinking long and hard about how to approach the issue of backlash, ... What backlash are we talking about? Webster's defines backlash as “a sudden, ..."

6. The American Machinist Shop Note Book: A Collection of Articles by E.A. Suverkrop (1919)
"AN ADJUSTABLE GEAR FOR ELIMINATING backlash A gear made in two parts, with one part adjustable in relation to the other, is shown in Fig. 216. ..."

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