ricochet

noun ree-ko-SHEH Rare

Origin: French ricochet, origin uncertain; possibly onomatopoeic

Also means

rebound

Usage Note

Ricochet entered English directly from French. In French it describes both the physical bounce of a projectile and, figuratively, a chain of indirect consequences: par ricochet means 'as a knock-on effect'. The verb ricocher means 'to ricochet' or 'to bounce off'.

Examples

"La balle a fait un ricochet sur le mur."

Natural Translation

The bullet made a ricochet off the wall.

Literal Translation

The bullet made a ricochet on the wall.

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