Ricochet \Ric`o*chet"\, n. [F.] A rebound or skipping, as of a ball along the ground when a gun is fired at a low angle of elevation, or of a fiat stone thrown along the surface of water.
{Ricochet firing} (Mil.), the firing of guns or howitzers, usually with small charges, at an elevation of only a few degrees, so as to cause the balls or shells to bound or skip along the ground.
Ricochet \Ric`o*chet"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ricochetted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ricochetting}.] To operate upon by ricochet firing. See {Ricochet}, n. [R.]
Ricochet \Ric`o*chet"\, v. i. To skip with a rebound or rebounds, as a flat stone on the surface of water, or a cannon ball on the ground. See {Ricochet}, n.
Police Commissioner Bert Boeckmann said statistics show that hollow-points cause no more damage than round-nosed bullets and are less likely to pass through someone's body and ricochet.
Strikes are a last resort, an ultimate weapon which can ricochet and hurt society," Walesa said.
Bullets have been known to ricochet off the water, putting holes in the windows and walls of lakeside homes.