crookback: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowArchaic, Literary, Offensive (in modern usage)
Quick answer
What does “crookback” mean?
A person with a hunched or curved back.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person with a hunched or curved back; a hunchback.
Often used, now considered outdated and offensive, to describe a person's physical appearance, specifically a pronounced curvature of the spine. Historically used as a noun and occasionally an adjective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic and rare in both varieties. No significant regional preference.
Connotations
Strongly pejorative and dated in both. Associated with Shakespearean and medieval depictions.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary language in both regions. More likely to be encountered in historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “crookback” in a Sentence
[be] + labelled/described/called + a crookbackVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crookback” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The crookback beggar was a stock character in Elizabethan drama.
American English
- He was disparagingly referred to with the crookback epithet.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare; only in historical or literary studies, often in quotes.
Everyday
Not used due to offensive nature.
Technical
Not used in modern medical contexts; 'kyphosis' is the clinical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crookback”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crookback”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crookback”
- Using it as a current, descriptive term for a person (highly offensive).
- Spelling as 'crookedback'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is an archaic term considered offensive when referring to a person. It should be avoided in contemporary speech and writing.
It comes from Middle English, combining 'crook' (meaning bent or curved) and 'back'.
King Richard III of England was famously nicknamed 'Crookback Richard' in later Tudor propaganda and literature.
Use person-first, descriptive language such as 'a person with a spinal curvature' or the medical term 'kyphosis' in clinical contexts. Avoid labels based on physical appearance.
A person with a hunched or curved back.
Crookback is usually archaic, literary, offensive (in modern usage) in register.
Crookback: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrʊkbak/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrʊkˌbæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Crookback Richard" (nickname for King Richard III of England)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CROOK (bent stick) in the BACK.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BENT/BROKEN OBJECT IS A PHYSICAL DEFORMITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you legitimately encounter the word 'crookback' today?