backwind

[ bak-wind ]

verb (used with object)

, Nautical.

, back·wind·ed, back·wind·ing.

1. to divert wind against the lee side of (a sail) from another sail.
2. to set (a sail) so that the wind is on what would ordinarily be the lee side, as for turning the bow of a boat away from the wind.
3. to blanket (another sailing vessel) by spilling wind from the sails of one vessel onto the lee side of the sails of the other.

Word History and Origins

Origin of backwind¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; back ² + wind ¹

Example Sentences

“Then, from one day to the next, it felt like we got this backwind. Suddenly people were really into activewear, and we noticed the orders trickling in.”

From New York Times

“Then, from one day to the next, it felt like we got this backwind. Suddenly people were really into activewear, and we noticed the orders trickling in.”

From New York Times

"In the mountains the thermal works in the morning when the air is heating up and in the evening the air is going down so there is a backwind ... everybody prefers front wind because there is more feeling under the skis," said Jernej Damjan of Slovenia.

From Reuters

The exchange, Raz said, emboldened Hamas and gave it a "backwind" of popular support.

From Reuters

In not one of the dozen races did the sailors concede anything�except a generous serving of backwind.

From Time Magazine Archive