ricochet

[ rik-uh-shey, rik-uh-sheyor, especially British, rik-uh-shet ]

noun

1. the motion of an object or a projectile in rebounding or deflecting from a surface one or more times as a result of a glancing blow.

verb (used without object)

, ric·o·cheted [rik, -, uh, -sheyd, rik-, uh, -, sheyd], ric·o·chet·ing [rik, -, uh, -shey-ing, rik-, uh, -, shey, -ing] or (especially British) ric·o·chet·ted [rik, -, uh, -shet-id], ric·o·chet·ting [rik, -, uh, -shet-ing].

1. to move by rebounding or deflecting from a surface, as a projectile.

   Synonyms: glance, deflect, rebound

ricochet

/ ˈrɪkəˌʃeɪ; ˈrɪkəˌʃɛt /

verb

1. intr (esp of a bullet) to rebound from a surface or surfaces, usually with a characteristic whining or zipping sound

noun

1. the motion or sound of a rebounding object, esp a bullet
2. an object, esp a bullet, that ricochets

Word History and Origins

Origin of ricochet¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from French; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of ricochet¹

C18: from French, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Ezra Klein also makes a compelling case that such ricochet legislating would be tamped down by voters holding both sides accountable for what they pass — or repeal.

From Washington Post

Luck starts many, many years before scoring a goal that ricochet’s off a defender’s foot.

From Fortune

Overnight, a bar owner was shot in the leg by a ricochet bullet.

From The Daily Beast

At the same time, there are those who ricochet between denial and rationalization.

From The Daily Beast

As they talked, standing beside the river, Ren watched the flat stones he threw ricochet on the water.

From Project Gutenberg

The general ricochet of the whole over pits and prominences had the gravest pitch of the chime.

From Project Gutenberg

But he glanced along the port side, like a toboggan down-hill, and he seemed to ricochet over the water.

From Project Gutenberg

His pistol barked once, sending a singing ricochet along the hall.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing could ruffle Tacony, or produce one false step: he flew round the course, every stride like the ricochet of a 32lb.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bounce back
• deflect