See Also: backfire(1)(dictionary)
backfire(2)(dictionary)
backfire(dictionary)

backfire(1) (iou)



backfire noun. M19.
[from BACK adverb + FIRE noun.]
A fire deliberately lighted ahead of an advancing prairie fire or bushfire in order to deprive it of fuel and so extinguish it. N. Amer. & Austral. M19.
A premature ignition or explosion in an internal-combustion engine or its exhaust-pipe. L19.
b. fig. The recoiling of a plan, scheme, etc., adversely on its originator (see BACKFIRE verb 2b). E20.