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- Dictionaryback·fire/ˈbakˌfī(ə)r/
verb
- 1. (of an engine) undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust: "a car backfired in the road" Similar
- 2. (of a plan or action) rebound adversely on the originator; have the opposite effect to what was intended: "overzealous publicity backfired on her" Similar
noun
- 1. a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust of a vehicle or engine: "once the engine is running smoothly, a backfire can be dramatic"
- 2. a fire set intentionally to arrest the progress of an approaching fire by creating a burned area in its path, thus depriving the fire of fuel. North American
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