1.  backfire(n = noun.event) blowback - the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired;
is a kind of blowup, detonation, explosion
has particulars: back-blast, backblast

2.  backfire(n = noun.event) - a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine;
is a kind of blowup, detonation, explosion
Derived form verb backfire₂

3.  backfire(n = noun.event) - a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path;
is a kind of fire

4.  backfire(n = noun.act) boomerang - a miscalculation that recoils on its maker;
is a kind of miscalculation, misestimation, misreckoning
Derived form verb backfire₁

1.  backfire(v = verb.social) backlash, recoil - come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect; "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble"
is one way to come about, fall out, go on, hap, happen, occur, pass, pass off, take place
Derived form noun backfire₄
Sample sentences: Something ----s

2.  backfire(v = verb.perception) - emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire; "My old car backfires all the time"
is one way to make noise, noise, resound
Derived form noun backfire₂
Sample sentences: The cars backfire down the avenue

3.  backfire(v = verb.change) - set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire;
is one way to burn, burn down, fire
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s

1.  A fire started ahead of a forest or prairie fire to burn only against the wind, so that when the two fires meet both must go out for lack of fuel. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2.  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 a direction reverse to that in which it should travel; also called a knock or ping. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

1.  To have or experience a back fire or back fires; -- said of an internal-combustion engine. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2.  Of a Bunsen or similar air-fed burner, to light so that the flame proceeds from the internal gas jet instead of from the external jet of mixed gas and air. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

backfire, v. & n.
--v.intr.
1 undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust of an internal-combustion engine.
2 (of a plan etc.) rebound adversely on the originator; have the opposite effect to what was intended.
--n. an instance of backfiring.

N  insulation, fire extinction, insulation, incombustible material, noncombustible material, fire retardant, flame retardant, fire wall, fire door, incombustibility, incombustibleness, extincteur, fire annihilator, amianth, amianthus, earth-flax, mountain-flax, asbestos, fireman, fire fighter, fire eater, fire department, fire brigade, engine company, pumper, fire truck, hook and ladder, aerial ladder, bucket, fire hose, fire hydrant, backfire, firebreak, trench, aerial water bombardment, wet blanket, fire extinguisher, soda and acid extinguisher, dry chemical extinguisher, CO-two extinguisher, carbon tetrachloride, foam, sprinklers, automatic sprinkler system, fire bucket, sand bucket, fire alarm, evacuation alarm, fire code, fire regulations, fire, fire inspector, code violation, citation, incombustible, nonflammable, uninflammable, unflammable, fireproof, fight fire with fire.