backbends - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

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backbends

|back-bend|

/ˈbæk.bɛnd/

(backbend)

bend backward

Base Form	Plural	3rd Person Sing.	Past	Past	Past Participle	Past Participle	Present Participle	Noun	Adjective
backbend	backbends	backbends	backbent	backbended	backbent	backbended	backbending	backbends	backbending

Etymology

Etymology Information

'backbend' is a modern English compound from 'back' + 'bend', where 'back' comes from Old English 'bæc' meaning 'the back' and 'bend' comes from Old English 'bendan' meaning 'to bend'.

Historical Evolution

'backbend' developed as a compound in Modern English by combining the noun 'back' and the verb 'bend'; the components trace back through Old English elements and the compound became used to name the posture/movement in later English (19th–20th century usage in gymnastics and yoga contexts).

Meaning Changes

Originally the parts simply meant 'back' + 'to bend'; over time the compound came to denote specifically the bodily posture/movement of arching the spine and related exercises.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a movement or position in which the body is arched backward at the spine; a yoga or gymnastics pose (often called a 'bridge').

She practices backbends every morning to increase her flexibility.

Synonyms

bridge archback arch

Antonyms

forward bendforward fold

Verb 1

to arch the back backward (intransitive: to perform a backbend) or to cause someone to arch their back (transitive).

He backbends easily because of his strong spine and shoulders.

Synonyms