humpback
/'hʌmpbæk/ Cách viết khác : (hunchback) /'hʌntʃbæk/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A large baleen whale with long pectoral fins, known for arching its back when diving: This refers specifically to a type of whale, often called a humpback whale.
- A person whose back is hunched due to abnormal curvature of the spine: This is a dated and often offensive term for a person with kyphosis, a condition causing a forward rounding of the upper back.
- An abnormal backward curve of the spine: This is a medical term for the condition of kyphosis itself.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Whale):
- We went on a boat tour to see the humpback. (We went on a boat tour to see the humpback whale.)
- The song of the humpback is complex and beautiful. (The song of the humpback whale is complex and beautiful.)
- Noun (Person - dated/offensive):
- The old story featured a kind-hearted humpback. (The old story featured a kind-hearted character with a hunched back.)
- Noun (Condition):
- The X-ray revealed a severe humpback in his thoracic spine. (The X-ray revealed a severe curvature in his thoracic spine.)
Advanced Usage
- "Humpback bridge": A bridge with a steep, arched profile.
- The car sped over the humpback bridge. (The car sped over the steeply arched bridge.)
- "Humpback salmon": Another name for the pink salmon (), which develops a pronounced hump on its back during spawning.
- The river was full of spawning humpback salmon. (The river was full of spawning pink salmon.)
Variants and Related Words
- Humpbacked (adj): Having a hunched back.
- The humpbacked figure moved slowly. (The figure with a hunched back moved slowly.)
- Humpback whale (n): The full, specific name for the whale species .
- The humpback whale is known for its acrobatic breaches.
Synonyms
- For the whale: Humpback whale.
- For the condition/person (medical/neutral): Kyphosis, hunchback, curvature of the spine.
Related Phrases
- "Humpback's hump": Refers to the dorsal protrusion on the whale or the curvature on a person's back.
- The whale's blow was visible just before its humpback's hump broke the surface. (The whale's spout was visible just before the arch of its back broke the surface.)
Notes on Usage
- When referring to a person, the term humpback is considered archaic and offensive. Modern, respectful language uses terms like "person with kyphosis" or describes the condition without labeling the individual.
- In modern contexts, humpback most commonly refers to the whale. The full term humpback whale is often used for clarity.
Noun
- large whalebone whale with long flippers noted for arching or humping its back as it dives
- a person whose back is hunched because of abnormal curvature of the upper spine
- an abnormal backward curve to the vertebral column