humpback bridge

1 6.7

A small crossing with a steep curved middle that people and cars use over water

noun
/ˈhʌmpˌbæk brɪdʒ/

: puente de joroba

The old humpback bridge was a charming feature of the village, connecting the two sides of the winding river.

Examples

The stream had shrunk to a modest murmuring brook, and the humpback bridge looked picturesque instead of perilous.

Fiction book (1992)
As we crossed the humpback bridge, I admired its steeply curved arch against the bright blue sky.
Drivers need to be cautious when approaching the humpback bridge as it can be hard to see oncoming traffic.

Synonyms

bridge

vshumpback bridge

102 3.6

A way to connect two people, groups, or ideas

is a small curved crossing with a steep central arch rather than a general connector

camelback

vshumpback bridge

1 6.5

A short rounded rise in a road or bridge

is a small structure with a steep curved arch peaking at the middle

How Curved

humpback bridge

1 6.7

flat arch

Specialized

1 7.9

Surface Forms

humpback bridge singular

humpback bridges plural

Morphology

humpback + bridge

The compound meaning is directly compositional: a bridge that has a hump (an arched or raised middle). Knowing 'humpback' (having a hump) and 'bridge' allows a B1 learner to infer this literal shape-based meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Humpback bridge comes from the bridge's shape — a high, rounded curve like the hump of a camel or a bent back. Because of that visible hump, the name now refers to 'a small bridge with a steeply curved arch'.