backstroke — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A backhanded stroke or blow.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   He observed that Cid Ruy-dias was an excellent knight; but not equal to the Lord of the Flaming-sword, who with one back-stroke [translating revés] had cut two fierce and monstrous giants through the middle.

2. A stroke swum lying on one's back, while rotating both arms through the water as to propel the swimmer backwards.

   Synonyms

   back crawl

   Broader terms

   stroke

   Examples

   Near-synonym: back crawl

3. The pull on the tail of the rope that swings the bell through a full circle.

Verb

1. To hit with a backstroke.

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. To swim the backstroke.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

Noun

1. a swimming stroke that resembles the crawl except the swimmer lies on his or her back

   Broader terms

   swimming stroke

Verb

1. swim on one's back

   Broader terms

   swim