backspins
|back-spins|
/ˈbækspɪnz/
(backspin)
backward rotation (reverse spin)
Etymology
'backspin' originates from English, specifically the compound of 'back' + 'spin', where 'back' meant 'rear' or 'toward the back' and 'spin' (from Old English 'spinnan') meant 'to turn quickly or revolve.'
'backspin' was formed in Modern English as a compound of 'back' and 'spin' (both with Old English roots). 'Spin' comes from Old English 'spinnan' (from Proto-Germanic *spinnanaz), and 'back' comes from Old English 'bæc'; the compound entered sporting vocabulary in the 19th and 20th centuries as ball sports and racket sports developed.
Initially it referred simply to a 'turning or rotation toward the back,' but over time it evolved into the specialized sporting and DJ meanings: 'a backward spin applied to a ball or record that alters bounce or playback behavior.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'backspin': a backward rotation given to a ball (or similar object) so that on bouncing it slows, stops, or moves back toward the direction it came from; also the technique/instance of applying such spin (sports).
His backspins from the slice serve kept the opponent off balance.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
plural of 'backspin' in DJing/turntablism: the action of spinning a record backward to repeat or manipulate a section of music.
During the set, the DJ's backspins created dramatic repeats that hyped the crowd.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/27 13:30