backswimmer

American

[bak-swim-er] / ˈbækˌswɪm ər /

noun

any of numerous predaceous aquatic hemipterous insects, of the family Notonectidae, that swim on their backs, and may inflict a painful bite if handled.

First recorded in 1860–65; back ¹ + swimmer ( def. )

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023