boomerang

[ boo-muh-rang ]
/ ˈbu məˌræŋ /

noun

a bent or curved piece of tough wood used by the Australian Aborigines as a throwing club, one form of which can be thrown so as to return to the thrower.
something, as a scheme or argument, that does injury to the originator.
Theater.
  1. a mobile platform, adjustable to different levels, for painting scenery.
  2. a batten, usually suspended vertically in the wings, for holding lighting units.

verb (used without object)

to come back or return, as a boomerang.
to cause harm to the originator; backfire.

Origin of boomerang

1820–30; < Dharuk būmariny

Example sentences from the Web for boomerang

British Dictionary definitions for boomerang

boomerang
/ (ˈbuːməˌræŋ) /

noun

a curved flat wooden missile of native Australians, which can be made to return to the thrower
an action or statement that recoils on its originator

verb

(intr) to recoil or return unexpectedly, causing harm to its originator; backfire

Word Origin for boomerang

C19: from a native Australian language