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crookback

crookback

9.9
Having a bent upper back that makes walking difficult
  • adjective
  • /ˈkrʊkˌbæk/
  • Slur
: jorobado
  • The old man had a crookback that made it difficult for him to stand up straight.

Examples

  • After years of poor posture, she developed a crookback that affected her mobility.

  • He was often teased for his crookback, a condition he had since childhood.

  • You see, we're interested, crookback.

Synonyms

crooked
vscrookback
86 2.5

Not straight in shape, like a path or a smile

is medical and specific to kyphosis rather than any bent shape
hunchbacked
vscrookback
2 7.7

A person with a curved back so the shoulders bend forward

is a clinical term stressing origin from spinal kyphosis
humped
vscrookback
2 7.5

A person or animal with a rounded, raised back like a camel

is specifically used when the curve results from spinal abnormality
humpbacked
vscrookback
  • Archaic
1 6.5

Has a hump on the back, often from a curved backbone

is focused on curvature caused by kyphosis rather than general bending
round-backed
vscrookback
1 5.9

Having a rounded back and shoulders, not straight

is narrower, referring to a curved spine from kyphosis specifically
kyphotic
vscrookback
  • Specialized
9.9

An upper back that curves forward too much, making a rounded shape

is a general descriptive term for a curved or hunched back
gibbous
vscrookback
  • Specialized
9.9

Having a rounded back that sticks out because the spine curves

is about whole back curvature rather than a single protuberant area

Antonyms

386 1.0

In a direct line without curves or bends

How Hunched

crookback
  • Slur
9.9
stooped
9 4.7
upright
96 2.7

Surface Forms

crookback positive

Morphology

crookback = crook + back (semi-transparent) = crook + back

The word is a straightforward compound of 'crook' and 'back', but the resulting adjective is somewhat lexicalized and old-fashioned rather than fully compositional for all learners.

Etymology

The adjective crookback comes from crook ('hook' or 'bent') plus back, and it describes someone whose back is curved or hunched. That's why calling someone crookback means they have a bent back.