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Glite Dictionary
razor-backed

razor-backed

8.3
Having a long, narrow, sharp ridge along the back like a knife edge
  • adjective
translation icon : de lomo afilado
  • The mountain ridge appeared razor-backed against the orange glow of the setting sun.

Examples

  • The razor-backed mountain loomed over the valley.

  • Many razor-backed cliffs line the coast of California.

  • A group of razor-backed hogs foraged in the field near the woods.

  • The rider struggled to sit comfortably on the razor-backed horse as it trotted down the path.

  • The mountain ridge appeared razor-backed against the orange glow of the setting sun.

  • Many razor-backed cliffs line the coast of California.

  • A group of razor-backed hogs foraged in the field near the woods.

Synonyms

razorback
vsrazor-backed
9.3

Having a sharp, narrow, ridged back like a knife edge

is written with a hyphen instead of as one word

How Sharp

razor-backed
8.3
keeled
  • Specialized
1 8.8
ridged
1 5.0
flat
797 1.0

Surface Forms

razor-backed positive

Morphology

razor-backed = razor + back (transparent) = razor + back + ed

The adjective is directly built from 'razor' + 'back' with an adjectival '-ed' meaning 'having a back like a razor', which learners can infer from the components.

Etymology

Razor-backed comes from razor, a small sharp tool for shaving, and back, meaning 'the top of an animal or ridge', so it makes you think of a back with a 'sharp edge' like a razor. That's why we call a hog, a horse, or a mountain 'razor-backed' when its top is very narrow or sharp.