backstroke

noun

1. a backhanded stroke.
2. Swimming. a stroke made while on one’s back.
3. a blow or stroke in return; recoil.

verb (used without object), back·stroked, back·strok·ing.

4. Swimming. to swim the backstroke: She backstroked across the pool.

noun

1. Also called: back crawl swimming
   1. a stroke performed on the back, using backward circular strokes of each arm alternately and flipper movements of the feet
   2. (as modifier)the backstroke champion
2. a return stroke or blow
3. mainly US a backhanded stroke
4. bell-ringing the upward movement of the bell rope as the bell swings back and forthCompare handstroke

verb

5. (intr) to swim the backstroke

n.

1670s, “counter-punch,” from back (adj.) + stroke (n.). From 1876 in swimming, from back (n.).