See Also: misfire(dictionary)
misfire(dictionary)

misfire (iou)



misfire verb & noun. M18.
[from MIS-1 1 + FIRE verb. Cf. miss fire s.v. MISS verb1.]
A. verb intrans.
Of a gun, a gun's charge: fail to discharge or explode. M18.
Of an internal-combustion engine: suffer failure of the fuel to ignite (correctly or at all). E20.
Classic Racer The engine started misfiring during the fifth lap.
fig. Fail to have an intended effect; go wrong. M20.
A. N. Wilson Either it was a mistake..or..a nasty practical joke which had hideously misfired.
b. noun.
A failure to discharge or explode; fig. a failure of intention. Cf. MISS-FIRE. M19.
Rally Sport After a lead came off the distributor..they had to contend with a misfire.
Misfiring. E20.