recurve

1 of 2

noun

re·​curve ˈrē-ˌkərv 

plural recurves

1

: an archery bow with tips that curve away from the string side when the bow is not strung

Primitive bows are simply a stick and string; a recurve adds a curve on each limb of the bow.

—Will Elliott

—often used before another noun

a recurve bow

2

: a curve in a backward or reverse direction

A number of computer models indicate that the storm may cross the Florida peninsula and enter the Gulf of Mexico … . A recurve to the north into Georgia is a possibility …

—Pam Knox

recurve

2 of 2

verb

recurved; recurving; recurves

intransitive verb

: to curve or turn in a backward or reverse direction

especially, of a weather disturbance : to reverse the direction of travel by curving back

… it's common for a hurricane like Irma to near the East Coast but then recurve away, after hitting a force field in the form of westerly winds at the upper levels of the atmosphere.

—Andrew Freedman

Examples of recurve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Para Archery The first game played at the early iteration of the Paralympics in 1948, para archery now has men and women’s individual and mixed teams, with wheelchair or standing, and with recurve and compound bows used. —Molly Higgins, WIRED, 19 Aug. 2024

The range offers $20 rentals of recurve bows – the more traditional kind, not as complicated as a compound – which comes with introductory coaching. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2024

Verb

Recent computer model runs have showed the storm may track into the Canadian Maritimes, rather than recurving out into the North Atlantic Ocean. —Andrew Freedman, Axios, 14 Aug. 2024

Beyond that, all major hurricane models that meteorologists use to forecast storms indicate that Lee will recurve away from Florida. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined above