Backfist

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A method in fighting disciplines where the back of the fist delivers a blow to an opponent's body or face
2. An approach in combat techniques that employs the back of the fist for striking an adversary effectively
3. A punch delivered striking with the rear surface of the clenched hand toward a target

Etymology: "Backfist" is a plain compound of "back" and "fist," and its meaning follows directly from those parts. A backfist is a blow struck with the back of the closed hand, with the knuckles leading, rather than the front of the fist, so the strike travels in a sweeping arc outward and then returns. The noun and verb senses both describe this same motion. "Back" comes from Old English "bæc," which referred to the rear part of the human body, and it developed the sense of the reverse side or the rear of anything. "Fist" comes from Old English "fӯst," meaning the hand closed into a clenched shape. Joined together, the two words name a punch that uses the back side of that clenched hand.

Synonyms: strike, hit