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Glite Dictionary
backhander

backhander

1 9.5
A slap with the back of the hand
  • noun
translation icon : manotazo
  • I gave him a backhander.

Examples

  • I scored with a little flip backhander that hit the back of the net like a strong fist trying to poke through it.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • She had bruised cheeks two months ago, as if he'd given her a couple of backhanders.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • After being fed a pass from the boards by Jankowski, Army skated in close on the Huskies' goal before firing a backhander to extend the Friars' lead to 3-0.

    Blog text (20)

  • After missing the goal with a regular shot, he scored beautifully with a backhander that caught the goalie off guard.

  • She swiftly delivered a backhander to her opponent during the practice match.

  • The player surprised everyone by scoring a goal with a quick backhander from behind the net.

Synonyms

smack
vsbackhander
25 3.6

A sharp blow with an open hand

is given with the back of the hand rather than the palm
cuffing
vsbackhander
  • Offensive
8.2

Hitting someone with an open hand like a slap

is done with the back of the hand instead of the open hand
smackeroo
vsbackhander
  • Informal
9.9

A quick light slap given in play

is delivered with the back of the hand rather than a playful palm strike

How Hard

backhander
1 9.5
slap
110 1.0
pat
∞ 1.0
tap
66 1.0

Surface Forms

backhander singular
backhanders plural

Morphology

backhander = backhand (transparent) = back + hand + er

The noun is formed by adding '-er' to 'backhand', yielding a blow or slap delivered with the back of the hand.

Etymology

Backhander comes from backhand, which itself joins back and hand and means the 'back of the hand'. Think of a quick slap using the back of your hand—like a sharp tennis backhand—and you have the image: a backhander is a blow delivered with the back of the hand.