Word: Swaybacked
Part of Speech: Adjective
The word "swaybacked" describes something that has a curved or sagging shape, especially referring to the back of an animal, like a horse. When a horse is swaybacked, its back dips down in the middle instead of being straight. This can happen because of age, health problems, or other reasons.
In a more advanced context, "swaybacked" can be used in discussions about animal health, conformation (the structure of an animal's body), or even in literature to describe a character or setting metaphorically, implying weakness or deterioration.
While "swaybacked" primarily refers to the sagging of the spine in animals, it can also describe things that appear bent or curved in a similar way. It is not commonly used for humans but can be applied in a metaphorical sense.
There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that use "swaybacked," but you might use related phrases such as: - "Bend over backwards" (to make an extra effort). - "Fall by the wayside" (to fail or be forgotten).
"Swaybacked" is mainly used to describe animals, particularly horses, that have a sagging back.