noun
hunchback; humpback
Refers to a person with a hunched back or the condition itself. Considered sensitive; use with care. Compare 猫背 (ねこぜ), which describes a stooped posture rather than a medical condition.
See also: 猫背
彼はせむしの男性をからかった。
He made fun of the hunchbacked man.
せむしの人は昔、差
noun
Dated medical term for rickets, a disease causing bone deformities including a hunched back. Modern medical term is くる病.
See also: くる病
昔はせむしと呼ばれた病気は、今ではくる病として知られている。
The disease once called せむし is now known as rickets.
Hunchbacked people were often discriminated against in the past.
Compound of 背 (se, 'back') and むし (mushi), possibly from 虫 (mushi, 'bug, worm') or a variant of 蒸し (mushi, 'steamed'), referring to a hunched or swollen back. The exact derivation is uncertain.