'Backfire' definitions:

Definition of 'backfire'

(from WordNet)
noun
The backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired [syn: blowback, backfire]
noun
A loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
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
noun
A miscalculation that recoils on its maker [syn: backfire, boomerang]
verb
Come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect; "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble" [syn: backfire, backlash, recoil]
verb
Emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire; "My old car backfires all the time"
verb
Set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire

Definition of 'Backfire'

From: GCIDE
  • Backfire \Back"fire`\ Back-fire \Back"-fire`\, v. i.
  • 1. (Engin.) To have or experience a back fire or back fires; -- said of an internal-combustion engine. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  • 2. Of a Bunsen or similar air-fed burner, to light so that the flame proceeds from the internal gas jet instead of from the external jet of mixed gas and air. -- {Back"-fir`ing}, n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Definition of 'backfire'

From: GCIDE
  • backfire \backfire\, back fire \back fire\
  • 1. A fire started ahead of a forest or prairie fire to burn only against the wind, so that when the two fires meet both must go out for lack of fuel. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  • 2. (a) 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 a direction reverse to that in which it should travel; also called a knock or ping. (b) an explosion in the exhaust passages of an internal combustion engine. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC] Backfire

Synonyms of 'backfire'

From: Moby Thesaurus