Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
A premature explosion in the cylinder of a gas or oil engine during the exhaust or the compression stroke, tending to drive the piston in the wrong direction.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An explosion in the exhaust passages of an internal combustion engine.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An explosion in other equipment.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Alternative form of back fire.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, alternative
Topics: firefighting, government
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Of a gun, cannon, Bunsen burner, etc., to fire in the opposite direction, for example due to an obstruction in the barrel.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Of a reciprocating engine, to experience a premature ignition of fuel or an ignition of exhaust gases, making a popping sound.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, transitive
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To set a back fire (small, controlled fire to limit spread of a larger fire).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: firefighting, government
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: boomerang
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: miscalculation, misreckoning, misestimation
noun
a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fire
noun
a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: explosion, detonation, blowup
noun
the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: blowback
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: explosion, detonation, blowup
Narrower terms: backblast, back-blast
verb
set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: burn, fire, burn down
verb
emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: make noise, resound, noise
verb
come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: backlash, recoil
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: happen, hap, go on, pass off, occur, pass, fall out, come about, take place
History
From back + fire.
Across languages
30 source translations are retained for this English entry.
