Backfire (original) (raw)
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A miscalculation that recoils on its maker
Synonyms:
backfire; boomerang
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("backfire" is a kind of...):
miscalculation; misestimation; misreckoning (a mistake in calculating)
Derivation:
backfire (come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("backfire" is a kind of...):
fire (the event of something burning (often destructive))
Sense 3
Meaning:
A loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Hypernyms ("backfire" is a kind of...):
blowup; detonation; explosion (a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction)
Derivation:
backfire (emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire)
Sense 4
Meaning:
The backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
Synonyms:
backfire; blowback
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Hypernyms ("backfire" is a kind of...):
blowup; detonation; explosion (a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "backfire"):
back-blast; backblast (backfire from a recoilless weapon)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "backfire" is one way to...):
burn; burn down; fire (destroy by fire)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Sense 2
Meaning:
Emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
Example:
My old car backfires all the time
Classified under:
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling
Hypernyms (to "backfire" is one way to...):
make noise; noise; resound (emit a noise)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Sentence example:
The cars backfire down the avenue
Derivation:
backfire (a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
Example:
the political movie backlashed on the Democrats
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "backfire" is one way to...):
come about; fall out; go on; hap; happen; occur; pass; pass off; take place (come to pass)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Derivation:
backfire (a miscalculation that recoils on its maker)