backfirenoun/ˈbækfaɪə(ɹ)/

• 1

  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 the wrong direction.

• 2

  An explosion in the exhaust passages of an internal combustion engine.

  • As much of Seattle tries to sleep, the Hellcat supercar goes on the prowl, the howls of its engine and the explosive backfires from its tailpipes echoing off the high-rise towers downtown.
• 3

  An explosion in other equipment.

  • The chief causes of rectifier backfiring in the Glasgow units were overheating or unfavourable anode/cathode temperature differential; it has proved possible to overcome these, although occasional backfires do still occur.

backfireverb/bækˈfaɪə(ɹ)/

• 1

  Of a gun, cannon, Bunsen burner, etc., to fire in the opposite direction, for example due to an obstruction in the barrel.

• 2

  Of a reciprocating engine, to experience a premature ignition of fuel or an ignition of exhaust gases, making a popping sound.

  • It was just after the Biafran war, and all the local people were still jumpy. Any time a car backfired or a police siren howled, they would dive under desks or tables instinctively.
• 3

  To fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune.

  • His attempt to make money by importing luxury cars backfired horribly when fuel prices tripled.
  • Her plan backfired on her.
• 4

  firefightinggovernmentTo set a back fire (small, controlled fire to limit spread of a larger fire).

這個拼法也被記錄為下列字的變化形：

• back fire