The word "repercussion" has a tricky spelling due to the silent "c" that follows the "p." IPA phonetic transcription for "repercussion" is /ˌriː.pəˈkʌʃ.ən/ - note the long "e" sound at the beginning, followed by a short "u" sound, and the stress on the "kush" syllable. While the word's origin lies in Latin repercussus, meaning "beat back," English has adopted this spelling, likely due to the influence of similar words such as "percussion" or "concussion."
Repercussion, noun; plural noun: repercussions.
Repercussion refers to an unintended consequence or effect that arises as a result of an action or event. It is often associated with negative or undesirable consequences that occur as a reaction to a particular action or situation. Repercussions can be indirect, unforeseen, and far-reaching, impacting individuals, groups, or the broader society.
When something has repercussions, it implies that the initial event or action triggers a series of subsequent effects or reactions. These repercussions can have varying degrees of significance, ranging from mild to severe, and can manifest in different ways depending on the context.
For example, in personal relationships, a harsh word spoken during an argument may have repercussions such as hurt feelings, damaged trust, or even the breakdown of the relationship. On a broader scale, a country's decision to impose trade tariffs may result in economic repercussions like increased prices, lower imports, or retaliatory measures from other nations.
It is important to note that repercussions are not always negative; positive consequences can also arise. For instance, courageous acts can lead to positive repercussions such as inspiring others, initiating change, or fostering unity.
In summary, repercussions refer to the aftermath of an action or event, encompassing the indirect and often unintended effects that arise as a result. They can be positive or negative, and their magnitude and scope depend on the specific circumstances.
The driving away of a swelling.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The act of driving back; a rebound; reverberation; in music, frequent repetition of the same sound.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "repercussion" originated from the Latin word "repercussio", which is derived from the verb "repercutere". "Repercutere" consists of two Latin roots - "re", meaning "back" or "again", and "percutere", meaning "to strike". Therefore, "repercussion" essentially means "to strike again" or "to strike back".