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.
- a mobile platform, adjustable to different levels, for painting scenery.
- 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
Words nearby boomerang
boom, sonic,
boom-and-bust,
boom-or-bust,
boomer,
boomer state,
boomerang,
boomerang kid,
boomie,
boomkin,
boomlet,
boomslang
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