1815, of machinery, from back (adj.) + lash (n.). In metaphoric sense, it is attested from 1955.

The play or loose motion in an instrument due to the clearance existing between mechanically contacting parts.

backfire: come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect; "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble" recoil: a movement back from an impac [..]

a term, which may have originated with Susan Faludi, referring to a movement ( ca. 1980s) away from or against feminism.

An overrun of a revolving-spool reel, such as a bait-cast reel, which in turn causes the line to billow off the reel and tangle.

The lost motion or looseness (play) between the faces of meshing gears or threads.

In a mechanical system, backlash is the relative motion between two devices, connected by a coupler, gear, screw, etc.

This is the amount of movement the machine can make without moving the motor. Provision is made on all Esprit machines to reduce this to a minimum by the use of very low or virtually zero backlash gea [..]

(((backlash)))[[glo:Backlash]] The amount of "play" or lost motion that occurs when direction is reversed in a lead screw. or other mechanical motion driving system. It can result from nuts [..]

The amount of "play" or lost motion that occurs when direction is reversed in a lead screw. or other mechanical motion driving system. It can result from nuts that are loose on leadscrews, s [..]

See Muslims, American.

(n) a movement back from an impact(n) an adverse reaction to some political or social occurrence(v) come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect

The “slop” felt in a mechanical system, typically when the system reverses direction. Parts require clearances to assemble correctly, and these clearances can be felt in moving assemblies. (Wikipedia) [..]

Backlash is the tangential space between teeth of mating gears at pitch circles.

Play between mating teeth.

The lost motion or looseness (play) between the balls in the nut and the threads on the screw. In the case of ballscrews, it refers to how much the ballnut can be moved back and forth without moving a [..]

the clearance between mesh of two gears.

A relative movement between interacting mechanical parts, resulting from looseness.

The play caused by loose connections between mechanical components. Backlash becomes a problem when an axis changes direction. When a motor turns, it pushes all the gears together in one direction. Wh [..]

Units:  µm, " The maximum difference in the actual position possible when a target position is approached from opposite directions. The maximum difference in the actual position possible when a t [..]

Units:  degrees, mrad The maximum difference in the actual position possible when a target position is approached from opposite directions. The maximum difference in the actual position possible when [..]

Fouled or tangled line on an open faced reel.

Backlash (measured in degrees) is when a camera’s Pan Tilt head cannot stop instantaneously, and is usually caused by excessive looseness in gears, pulleys, or other parts.  Pre set PTZ surveillance cameras are rendered ineffectual by Backlash.

A certain amount of backlash is required in mating gears in order to compensate for any Thermal expansion, allow the incorporation of lubricants and compensate for any potential tolerances as regards [..]

A component of bidirectional repeatability. The lost motion or looseness (play) between the balls in the nut and the threads on the screw. In the case of ballscrews, it refers to how much the ballnut can be moved back and forth without moving along the length of the screw.

The relative movement of interlocked mechanical parts that occurs when motion is reversed. Occasionally observed in valve actuators Further Reading

A strong negative response at a popular level or among an influential group to changes in society. Typically used to describe organised responses that seek to maintain unjust power relations or reverse positive gains made towards justice or equality.

The amount of play (lost motion) between a set of moveable parts when changing the direction of travel.