browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about backfire
backfire |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Back-fire \Back"-fire`\, v. i. 1. (Engin.) To have or experience a back fire or back fires; -- said of an internal-combustion engine. 2. Of a Bunsen or similar air-fed burner, to light so that the flame proceeds from the internal gas jet instead of from the external jet of mixed gas and air. -- {Back"-fir`ing}, n. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: backfire n 1: a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine 2: a miscalculation that recoils on its maker [syn: {boomerang}] v 1: have an unexpected and undesired effect; "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble" [syn: {backlash}] 2: emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire, as of cars 3: set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
more about backfire