Backlash \Back"lash`\ (b[a^]k"l[a^]sh`), n. [Back, adv. + lash.]
1. (Mech.) 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. A strong and sudden reverse movement in a moving part of a
machine.
[PJC]
3. A strong popular reaction serving to counter the effect of
an action; -- used especially of adverse reactions to
social or political developments.
[PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
backlash
n 1: a movement back from an impact [syn: recoil, repercussion,
rebound]
2: an adverse reaction to some political or social occurrence;
"there was a backlash of intolerance"
v : have an unexpected and undesired effect; "Your comments may
backfire and cause you a lot of trouble" [syn: backfire]
WordNet (r) 2.0
61 Moby Thesaurus words for "backlash":
antagonism, antipathy, backfire, backlashing, backwash, boomerang,
bounce, bounce back, bound, carom, clashing, clout, collision,
conflict, confutation, contradiction, contraposition, contrariety,
contrecoup, counteraction, counterposition, counterworking,
crankiness, crotchetiness, dissent, force, friction, impact,
impress, impression, imprint, interference, kick, kick back,
kickback, mark, nonconformity, opposition, opposure, oppugnance,
oppugnancy, perverseness, print, reaction, rebound, rebuff,
recalcitrance, recalcitration, recoil, reflex, renitency,
repercussion, repugnance, repulse, resilience, resistance,
response, revolt, ricochet, spring, swimming upstream
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
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