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Glite Dictionary
to recurve

to recurve

1 8.1
To bend something backward, like a leaf or bow
  • verb
  • /rɪˈkɜrv/
translation icon : recurvar
  • The road will recurve around the mountain, offering stunning views of the valley below.
  • recurved bow
  • recurved composite

Examples

  • Of rare charm, with a black and piercing eye, a slightly recurved bill, short wings useless for flight, but a majestic gait and bearing.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Lately, though, the average for the F10.7 data has recurved to the downside while the sunspot's average has also lost its minimum and has flatlined.

    Blog text (30)

  • It is true that hurricanes normally recurve and head east, especially at this time of year.

    Blog text (10)

  • He can very accurately shoot a Ben Pearson Cougar recurve from both the left and right.

    Blog text (17)

  • I've not researched hurricanes much, but I was curious about how many tropical storms recurved eastward out into the Atlantic rather than moving towards the Gulf Coast this year.

    Blog text (24)

  • The artist decided to recurve the branches of the sculpture to create a more dynamic form.

  • During the design process, we plan to recurve the handle for better ergonomics.

Synonyms

to bend
vsto recurve
268 1.0

To make something curved instead of straight

refers specifically to curving back or downward rather than any curve
to flex
vsto recurve
17 3.2

To curve under pressure, like a branch or metal

focuses on curving back or downward rather than joint movement
to retroflex
vsto recurve
  • Specialized
9.1

To bend something backward so it curves back on itself

is a general curving back or downward action rather than a technical term

Antonyms

to straighten
114 2.5

Make something straight and in the right position

How Curved

to recurve
1 8.1
to curve
22 2.8
to bend
268 1.0
to straighten
114 2.5

Surface Forms

recurve infinitive
recurved past
recurved past participle
recurving present participle
recurses third person singular

Morphology

recurve = curve (semi-transparent) = re + curve

The relation to 'curve' is clear, but learners may not readily interpret 're-' here as 'back' rather than the more familiar meaning 'again'.

Etymology

The word recurve is made of the parts re- meaning 'back' and curve meaning 'bend'. So to recurve something is to 'bend' it back, like an archer bending a bow or a leaf that curves back to save water.