Hypertext Webster Gateway: "backlash"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Backlash \Back"lash`\, n. [Back, adv. + lash.] (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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
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}]
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