recurve

 
Pronunciation: /rɪˈkəːv/

verb

[no object] chiefly Biology
  • bend backwards: (as adjective recurved) large recurved tusks

noun

Archery
  • a bow that curves forward at the ends, which straighten out under tension when the bow is drawn.

Derivatives

recurvature

noun

Origin:

late 16th century: from Latin recurvare 'bend something back', from re- 'back' + curvare 'to bend'