The Clue
Produce an undesired effect (8 letter answer)
The Answer
BACKFIRE
Tags
Notes
The answer BACKFIRE is so rare that it appears less than once every 2500 puzzles.
Definition
BACKFIRE as a noun:
1. (blowback, backfire) = the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
2. a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
3. a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
4. (backfire, boomerang) = a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
BACKFIRE as a verb:
1. (backfire, 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"
2. emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire; "My old car backfires all the time"
3. set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire