Backspun

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Hit or thrown with a backward rotation that causes the ball to rise or curve in flight
2. Struck with a spinning motion in the reverse direction, creating lift or altered trajectory
3. Applied with rotational force that spins backward, affecting the ball's movement through the air

Etymology: "Backspun" is the past tense and past participle of "backspin", so its history is that of the noun it comes from. Backspin is formed from "back" and "spin", and describes a spin that acts against the direction a ball is travelling, which is why a backspun ball tends to stop or roll back after landing. The past form simply applies the regular English verb ending to that base, so the word's real content lies in the two parts it is built from.