backswimmer
|back-swim-mer|
🇺🇸
/ˈbækˌswɪmɚ/
🇬🇧
/ˈbækˌswɪmə/
insect that swims on its back
Etymology
'backswimmer' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound of 'back' + 'swimmer', where 'back' meant 'the rear part' and 'swimmer' meant 'one who swims.'
'back' comes from Old English 'bæc' and 'swim' comes from Old English 'swimman'; the compound 'backswimmer' was formed in English to describe insects that swim on their backs.
Initially, the components meant 'rear part' and 'one who swims'; over time the compound came to denote specifically the aquatic insect known as the 'backswimmer'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small aquatic insect of the family Notonectidae that swims on its back and often preys on other small aquatic animals.
A backswimmer darted beneath the lily pads and rose to the surface to take a breath.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/27 23:03