repercussion

[ree-per-kuhsh-uhn, rep-er-]

noun

1. an effect or result, often indirect or remote, of some event or action.

   The repercussions of the quarrel were widespread.

2. the state of being driven back by a resisting body.

3. a rebounding or recoil of something after impact.

4. reverberation; echo.

5. Music.,  (in a fugue) the point after the development of an episode at which the subject and answer appear again.

repercussion

/ ˌriːpəˈkʌʃən /

noun

1. (often plural) a result or consequence, esp one that is somewhat removed from the action or event which precipitated it

   the repercussions of the war are still keenly felt

2. a recoil after impact; a rebound

3. a reflection, esp of sound; echo or reverberation

4. music the reappearance of a fugal subject and answer after an episode

Other Word Forms

• repercussive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repercussion¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin repercussiōn- (stem of repercussiō ) a rebounding, equivalent to repercuss ( us ) (past participle of repercutere to strike back) + -iōn- -ion. See re-, percussion

Word History and Origins

Origin of repercussion¹

C16: from Latin repercussiō , from repercutere to strike back; see _percussion

Example Sentences

Christensen said coaches who participated in the forfeits last year faced repercussions from school district personnel, “but it needed to be done.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Phillips urged the Department of Justice to release all the documents and information it has from the investigation, adding that many victims were afraid of repercussions if they went public with names themselves.

From BBC

It was hard to contemplate how, even as recently as the 1980s, someone would feel comfortable enough to draw such a disgraceful thing on a government document without fear of repercussion.

From Salon

That is a powerful form of repression, meant to stop dissent through fear of repercussion.

From Los Angeles Times

"There's been so many repercussions from Chica's end, whereas from the owner's end it's just business as normal, there's no repercussions."

From BBC

Related Words

• backlash 
• chain reaction 
• effect 
• fallout 
• impact 
• influence 
• reaction 
• reverberation 
• side effect