a. [prob. f. BOW sb.1 (but perh. in sense a. from BOWE ppl. a., bowed, crooked) + BACK.] a. Having the back permanently bent, crook-backed. b. Having the back arched, as an angry cat.

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  Hence Bowbackedness.

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1470.  Harding, Chron., clvii. iii. This Edmond … Brokebacked and bowbacked bore, Was vnabled to haue the monarché.

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1587.  Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1311/2. When they wax crooked & bow backt.

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1847.  Tennyson, Princess, VI. 339. The two great cats … Bow-back’d with fear.

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1864.  N. Brit. Rev., Dec., 405. By a sudden effort … overcoming his bowbackedness.

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