BROKEN-BACKED

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does broken-backed mean? 

• BROKEN-BACKED (adjective)
  The adjective BROKEN-BACKED has 3 senses:

1. having the spine damaged

2. (of a horse) having bones of the back united by a bony growth

3. (of a ship) so weakened as to sag at each end

  Familiarity information: BROKEN-BACKED used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BROKEN-BACKED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having the spine damaged

Context example:

a broken-backed old horse

Similar:

damaged (harmed or injured or spoiled)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(of a horse) having bones of the back united by a bony growth

Similar:

unfit (not in good physical or mental condition; out of condition)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(of a ship) so weakened as to sag at each end

Synonyms:

broken-backed; hogged

Similar:

bulging; convex (curving or bulging outward)

Domain category:

ship (a vessel that carries passengers or freight)

 Context examples 

In this case, looking at the bold, strong hand of the one, and the rather broken-backed appearance of the other, which still retains its legibility although the t’s have begun to lose their crossing, we can say that the one was a young man and the other was advanced in years without being positively decrepit.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)