backlash
/ˈbækˌlæʃ/ noun, verb
Forms backlashes backlashing backlashed
- noun (literal) A suddenly reversed or backward motion, such as of a rope or elastic band when it snaps under tension.
- noun (figurative) A negative reaction, objection or outcry, especially of a violent or abrupt nature. “The public backlash to the proposal was quick and insistent.”
- noun (mechanics) The looseness through which one part of connected machinery, such as a wheel, gear, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, or a measurement of the distance moved thereby; either intentional (as allowance) or unintentional (from error or wear).
- noun (mechanics) The jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion.
- verb To perform a backlash, to lash back in reaction to some cause.
Synonyms
Etymology
From back- + lash.
Webster’s 1913
- noun 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.
Etymology [Back , adv. + lash.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “backlash”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details