back-comb. form
in combination is used in many relations, substantive, adjective, and adverbial (rarely verbal), often difficult to separate, and in various senses. In some of these the combination is very loose, the use of the hyphen being almost optional.This is especially the case, when back is capable of being viewed as an adj., in which aspect the hyphen would not be used, e.g. back-yard or back yard, back-stroke or back stroke. As a rule, the use of the hyphen implies that the combination (in the case in point) has not the general and purely descriptive value of the two words, but is in some respect specialized or appropriated as a specific name.
1. General senses in combination.
a. from back n.1
(a) objective.
(i) With present participle, forming adjectives, as back-wounding, back-slapping adj. and n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [adjective] > that attacks unfairly
back-woundinga1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 445 Back-wounding calumnie. View more context for this quotation
(ii) With verbal noun, forming substantives, as back-breaking, back-scratching.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > shipwreck > [noun] > breaking of back
back-breaking1787
1787 J. Bentham Let. 9–20 Feb. in Corr. (1971) III. 522 Back-breaking, which is the death of so many vessels.
1884 Good Words June 400/2 Having borne himself so lubberly over his ‘back-scratching.’
(iii) With agent-noun, as back-scraper, back-scratcher.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > scratching > [noun] > instrument for
back-scratcher1794
scratch-back1842
tormentor1891
1794 J. Wolcot Rowland for Oliver in Wks. II. 135 Chopsticks and backscrapers.
1834 R. Southey Doctor I. 63 A back scratcher, of which the hand was ivory.
(b) instrumental and locative, with participles and adjectives, forming adjectives, as back-broken, back-aching, back-breaking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective]
wearyc825
asadc1306
ateyntc1325
attaintc1325
recrayed1340
methefula1350
for-wearya1375
matea1375
taintc1380
heavy1382
fortireda1400
methefula1400
afoundered?a1425
tewedc1440
travailedc1440
wearisomec1460
fatigate1471
defatigatec1487
tired1488
recreant1490
yolden?1507
fulyeit?a1513
traiked?a1513
tavert1535
wearied1538
fatigated1552
awearya1555
forwearied1562
overtired1567
spenta1568
done1575
awearied1577
stank1579
languishinga1586
bankrupt?1589
fordone1590
spent1591
overwearied1592
overworn1592
outworn1597
half-dead1601
back-broken1603
tiry1611
defatigated1612
dog-wearya1616
overweary1617
exhaust1621
worn-out1639
embossed1651
outspent1652
exhausted1667
beaten1681
bejaded1687
harassed1693
jaded1693
lassate1694
defeata1732
beat out1758
fagged1764
dog-tired1770
fessive1773
done-up1784
forjeskit1786
ramfeezled1786
done-over1789
fatigued1791
forfoughten1794
worn-up1812
dead1813
out-burnta1821
prostrate1820
dead beat1822
told out1822
bone-tireda1825
traiky1825
overfatigued1834
outwearied1837
done like (a) dinner1838
magged1839
used up1839
tuckered outc1840
drained1855
floored1857
weariful1862
wappered1868
bushed1870
bezzled1875
dead-beaten1875
down1885
tucked up1891
ready (or fit) to drop1892
buggered-up1893
ground-down1897
played1897
veal-bled1899
stove-up1901
trachled1910
ragged1912
beat up1914
done in1917
whacked1919
washy1922
pooped1928
shattered1930
punchy1932
shagged1932
shot1939
whipped1940
buggered1942
flaked (out)1942
fucked1949
sold-out1958
wiped1958
burnt out1959
wrung out1962
juiced1965
hanging1971
zonked1972
maxed1978
raddled1978
zoned1980
cream crackered1983
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective] > esp. through labour
forswunka1250
forwroughtc1400
forlaboured1483
broken1490
forespent1563
fortoiled1567
toiled1574
overtoiled?1577
over-laboured1579
back-broken1603
moiled1618
swinked1637
overwrought1648
overtaxed1650
toil-worn1752
used up1823
overworked1830
beat1832
dead-beaten1854
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective] > causing weariness or exhaustion > esp. through labour
travailousa1382
laboriousc1410
travailsome1549
break-back1556
toilsome?1570
toilful1573
back-aching1603
back-breaking1904
1603 J. Davies Microcosmos Pref. 19 An Empires Lode (Which weakenesse oft, back-broken, vndergoes).
1837 Athenæum No. 827. 874 The back-broken traveller..stretches from his camel.
1883 A. C. Swinburne Les Casquettes xvi The strengths reluctant of waves back-bowed.
1904 ‘M. Twain’ $30,000 Bequest (1906) 214 Did you ever notice..how back-breaking and tiresome it was?
1913 Maclean's May 93/2 Every Monday I have a back-breaking session with that washing machine.
1916 ‘Taffrail’ Pincher Martin iii. 34 The work of shovelling the coal into bags was back-breaking.
1940 F. Kitchen Brother to Ox ii. 25 What a back-aching job it was!
1958 Times 27 Oct. 11/3 [Potato-picking] looks so easy, and to the novice pressed into service as I am it is a back-breaking penance.
(c) attributive. Of or pertaining to the back, used for or carried on the back, e.g. back-ache, back-cloth, back-clout, back-fin; back-basket, back-burden, back-dunt.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun]
clothesc888
hattersOE
shroudc1000
weedOE
shrouda1122
clothc1175
hatteringa1200
atourc1220
back-clout?c1225
habit?c1225
clothingc1275
cleadinga1300
dubbinga1300
shroudinga1300
attirec1300
coverturec1300
suitc1325
apparel1330
buskingc1330
farec1330
harness1340
tire1340
backs1341
geara1350
apparelmentc1374
attiringa1375
vesturec1385
heelinga1387
vestmentc1386
arraya1400
graitha1400
livery1399
tirementa1400
warnementa1400
arrayment1400
parelc1400
werlec1400
raiment?a1425
robinga1450
rayc1450
implements1454
willokc1460
habiliment1470
emparelc1475
atourement1481
indumenta1513
reparel1521
wearing gear1542
revesture1548
claesc1550
case1559
attirement1566
furniture1566
investuring1566
apparelling1567
dud1567
hilback1573
wear1576
dress1586
enfolding1586
caparison1589
plight1590
address1592
ward-ware1598
garnish1600
investments1600
ditement1603
dressing1603
waith1603
thing1605
vestry1606
garb1608
outwall1608
accoutrementa1610
wearing apparel1617
coutrement1621
vestament1632
vestiment1637
equipage1645
cask1646
aguise1647
back-timbera1656
investiture1660
rigging1664
drapery1686
vest1694
plumage1707
bussingc1712
hull1718
paraphernalia1736
togs1779
body clothing1802
slough1808
toggery1812
traps1813
garniture1827
body-clothes1828
garmenture1832
costume1838
fig1839
outfit1840
vestiture1841
outer womana1845
outward man1846
vestiary1846
rag1855
drag1870
clo'1874
parapherna1876
clobber1879
threads1926
mocker1939
schmatte1959
vine1959
kit1989
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > garment or article of
raileOE
i-wedeOE
reafOE
shroudc1000
weedOE
back-cloth?c1225
hatter?c1225
clouta1300
coverturec1300
garment1340
vesturec1384
clothc1385
vestmentc1386
jeryne?a1400
clothinga1425
gilla1438
raiment1440
haterella1450
vestimenta1500
indumenta1513
paitclaith1550
casceis1578
attire1587
amice1600
implements1601
cladment1647
enduement1650
vest1655
body garment1688
wearable1711
sledo1719
rag1855
number1894
opaque1903
daytimer1936
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > pain in specific parts > [noun] > in back
back-ache?c1225
ripples1568
lumbago1684
ripplec1700
bellon1794
rachialgia1807
painter's colic1822
notalgia1833
the world > animals > fish > parts of fish > [noun] > fin or parts of fin > dorsal
back-fin?c1225
adipose fin1789
radius1822
subdorsal1856
dead fin1865
the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > [noun] > parts of > (types of) fin
finc1000
back-fin?c1225
ventral fin1752
pectoral?a1808
ventral1834
subdorsal1856
pinna1890
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance by carrying > [noun] > by a person > a load
back-burden?c1225
load?c1225
carriagea1398
birth1497
freight1618
porterage1666
headload1795
backload1823
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking on specific part of the body > [noun] > on the body > on the back
back-dunt?c1225
society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > basket > [noun] > for carrying > carried on the back
back-basket?c1225
creel1803
puttony1940
warishi1941
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 214 Stronge bac duntes.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. x. 362 Oure bakcloþis [v.r. bakkes] þat moth-eten be.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 196/1 Backeburden, portee, charge.
1601 A. Dent Plaine Mans Path-way to Heauen 89 Tooth-ache, head ache, back-ache, bone-ache.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) at Bray Back-clouts for young children.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 173 She came..with a great back Burthen of Roots.
1775 J. Adair Hist. Amer. Indians 90 Large portable back-baskets.
1863 C. Kingsley Water-babies iv. 144 With their backfins out of the water.
1907 J. Masefield Tarpaulin Muster xii. 132 It was ‘Shift topmasts’, or ‘Down top-gallant yards’, or some gummy backache or another all the whole day long.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses i. iii. [Proteus] 39 We have nothing in the house but backache pills.
b. from back adj.
(a) gen. Lying at the back, in the rear, or behind; hinder; = back adj. 1, and more commonly written as two words.
ΚΠ
1581 J. Marbeck Bk. Notes & Common Places 86 Thou shalt see my Backe-partes, but my face shal not be seene.
a1680 T. Goodwin Wks. (1704) V. iv. 8 The Back-parts of God, which we call his Attributes.
1752 tr. E. F. Gersaint Catal. Etchings Rembrandt 29 The Back-view is the inner part of the Temple.
1754 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea (ed. 2) I. xxxvii. 167 The back-part of this tent.
1772 Maskelyne in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 62 106 In the back-observation..the real upper-limb will appear the lowest.
1775 G. White in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 65 273 The back-wall of William of Wickham's stables.
(b) esp. Applied to a part of a house or building which lies behind, and is usually subsidiary to the front or main part bearing the name, as back-building, a building behind forming an appendage to a main building, back-chamber, back-drawing-room, back-garden (also transferred and figurative), back-kitchen, back-parlour, back porch, back shed, etc. See also back court n. 1, backhouse n. 1, backyard n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > garden > [noun] > other types of garden
grounda1500
knot-garden1519
back-garden1535
summer garden1589
spring garden1612
spring gardena1625
water gardena1626
walled gardena1631
wildernessa1644
window garden1649
botanic garden1662
Hanging Gardens1705
winter garden1736
cottage garden1765
Vauxhall1770
English garden1771
wall garden1780
chinampa1787
moat garden1826
gardenesque1832
sunk garden1835
roof garden1844
weedery1847
wild garden1852
rootery1855
beer-garden1863
Japanese garden1863
bog-garden1883
Italian garden1883
community garden1884
sink garden1894
trough garden1935
sand garden1936
Zen garden1937
hydroponicum1938
tub garden1974
rain garden1994
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > outhouse(s) > [noun] > types of
skilling1389
haghouse1400
hovel1435
back shed1535
cot-house1606
boorachc1660
linhay1695
spring house1755
woodshed1764
cookhouse1802
tool-house1817
shed1855
drive shed1869
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > equipment for food preparation > cooking establishment or kitchen > [noun] > other kitchens
back-kitchen1535
summer kitchen1632
cook-room1707
cellar kitchen1741
milk kitchen1922
eat-in kitchen1955
step saver1967
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > additional or separate part > at rear
back-building1535
backhouse1557
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > porches, balconies, etc. > [noun] > porch
porticeOE
porchc1300
back porch1535
prothyrum1600
propylaeum1637
pentastich1656
propylon1830
ramada1869
storm-porch1879
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > types of room by situation > [noun] > room at the back of a house
back-chamber1535
back-drawing-room1535
back-parlour1535
back room1592
back1836
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ezek. xlii. 1 The chambre that stode ouer agaynst the backbuyldinge.
1633 J. Ford Loves Sacrifice i. sig. C2 I'le meet Thee..in thy Ladies backe lobby.
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 1st Bk. Wks. lv. 242 In every back-chamber or with-drawing room.
1738 Purefoy Lett. (1931) I. viii. 191 To mend two Pannells in the back Parlour 0–03–06.
1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy I. xviii. 111 To drink a bottle of wine with my father..in the back parlour.
1784 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) XIII. 503 She heard a knocking at the back-kitchen door.
1789 G. Washington Diary (1925) IV. 30 A back shed, which seems to be added as the family encreases.
1811 J. Austen Let. 25 Apr. (1995) 183 We were 66..quite enough to fill the Back Drawg room.
1818 J. Keats Let. 24 Mar. (1958) I. 254 To have a sort of Philosophical Back Garden.
1832 Chambers' Edinb. Jrnl. 18 Mar. 50/1 It is true..that nothing can match your back kitchen as a convenience to the servants.
1840 Southern Literary Messenger 6 734/1 He was led by the hand into the back porch.
1855 E. C. Gaskell North & South I. i. 1 Curled up on the sofa in the back drawing-room.
1866 R. M. Ballantyne Lifeboat 5 Mr. Crumps sat in a small back-office.
1875 H. B. Stowe We & our Neighbors liv. 480 He had leaped out of a window upon a back shed.
1878 W. Black Green Pastures iii. 20 The back-parlour of a Ballinascroon public-house.
1889 G. B. Shaw in Hawk 13 Aug. 172/2 Wagner..is ‘buried in the back garden, sir, like a Newfoundland dog’.
1960 R. Williams Border Country i. ii. §6.51 It had a built-on back-kitchen.
1963 Times 16 Jan. 13/1 After cultivating their own back gardens contentedly..for 15 post-war years up to the beginning of 1961, steel-makers the world over are now preoccupied with export problems.
c. from back adv.
(a) With verbs, forming compound verbs, as back-try, to try back or over again. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] > again
back-try1640
1640 in J. Nicholson Minute Bk. War Comm. Covenanters Kirkcudbright 12 Nov. (1855) 83 The way..shall be tryed and baktryed.
(b) With present participle, forming adjectives, as back-acting (cf. back-acter n. at sense 2), back-blowing, back-coming, back-driving, back-glancing, back-going, back-looking, back-lying.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > earth-moving and excavating equipment > [adjective] > excavating
back-acting1562
earth-moving1890
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > medicine to draw, disperse, etc., matter or humours > [adjective] > repelling or drawing off
percussivea1398
repercussivea1398
repulsive?a1425
back-driving1562
repellent1575
revelling1592
depulsivec1615
repercutient1676
repellant1730
derivative1854
derivant1876
the world > time > relative time > the past > [adjective] > reaching into the past
backward1658
back-looking1850
1562 W. Turner 2nd Pt. Herball f. 97v A repercussiue or back-dryuyng medicine.
1615 W. Hull Mirrour of Majestie 48 The soule is encombred with foure back-pulling retentives.
1817 M. Edgeworth Harrington & Ormond I. vi. 116 With back-stepping curtsey.
1850 E. B. Browning Poems (new ed.) II. 347 Back-looking Memory.
1863 H. Kingsley Austin Elliot I. x. 110 A long, low, back-lying house.
1924 J. Buchan Three Hostages xxi. 299 The body was heavy, and he was clearly a back-going beast.
1928 W. Barnes Excavating Machinery ii. 50 The action of a back-acting shovel is..the reverse of a standard shovel, as it digs towards the machine like a drag line.
(c) With past participles, forming adjectives (chiefly poetic), as back-drawn, back-flung, back-thrown, back-turned, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [adjective] > backwards
recurve?a1425
recourbleda1492
recurvate1556
retorted1571
reflected1578
back-turneda1586
reflexed1597
recurved1598
reverteda1616
reflex1633
recurvous1713
retroflected1765
retrorsal1870
the world > space > relative position > posture > position of specific body parts > [adjective] > head, face, or eyes
back-flunga1586
casta1586
demiss1586
upturned1597
demissive1630
unaverted1753
unuplifted1814
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > [adjective] > thrown > backwards
back-casta1586
back-throwna1586
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) i. sig. H5v With shafts shott out from their back-turned bow.
1652 T. Urquhart Εκσκυβαλαυρον 98 Tossed to and again, contrerisposted retorted, backreverted.
1850 E. B. Browning Poems (new ed.) II. 74 Back-thrown on the slippery coping-stone.
1863 W. Barnes Rhymes Dorset Dial. II. 28 A-lookin up with back-flung head.
(d) With agent-nouns, forming nouns, as backslider n.; back-sitter, one who sits back.
ΚΠ
1883 E. P. Hood Sc. Char. ii. 33 But a bauchle..in this world, and a backsitter in the neist.
(e) With verbal nouns forming nouns, as backsliding n., back-coming, back-drawing, back-going, back-looking, back-slipping, back-starting, back-surging, back-turning, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > apostasy > [noun]
renoirie1340
apostasyc1380
recidivationa1425
perversiona1450
pervertinga1450
relapsec1475
resiluation1513
departing1526
residuationa1535
back-starting1535
backsliding1554
abrenunciation1557
recreant1570
backslide1586
relapsing1591
recreantness1611
apostating1648
recadency1648
apostatizing1659
lapse1660
apostatism1814
renegadism1823
society > travel > aspects of travel > return > [noun]
gaincome?c1225
retourc1330
gaincominga1340
again-cominga1382
returna1393
again-racea1400
returning?c1400
resortc1425
turningc1440
revertence?1457
repairingc1460
again-goinga1475
regress1478
revenuea1500
reversiona1500
back-coming1535
retire?1538
back-return1577
redition1595
regredience1648
reverter1663
epistrophe1814
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] > surging
back-surging1535
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] > retiring, withdrawing, or retreating
recoilc1330
retreata1393
subtraction?a1425
back-drawing1535
retirement1536
retiring1548
retraict1550
recess1561
retire1570
retiral1611
subducing1633
retiration1637
withdrawment1640
retirance1662
retreating1664
retraction1684
retreatment1721
withdrawal1824
back-pedalling1950
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > [noun] > after the event
back-looking1535
afterlight1704
hindsight1883
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > [noun] > desertion of one's party or principles
recreandisea1425
declining1526
declination1533
back-turning1535
defect1540
revoltc1576
falling off1577
apostasy1578
tergiversation1583
declension1597
recreancy1602
starting1602
recreantness1611
recession1614
turncoating1624
recreancea1632
diffidation1640
withdrawment1640
tergiversating1654
turning1665
ratting1789
renegadism1823
turncoatery1841
defection1884
turncoatism1889
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. iii. 22 So shal I heale youre bacturnynges.
a1569 M. Coverdale Fruitful Lessons (1593) sig. Ff2 Such curious backe looking doth the Lord rebuke.
1590 H. Swinburne Briefe Treat. Test. & Willes v. f. 197 Of apostasie..that is to say, of back-starting from the Christian faith.
1600 Abp. G. Abbot Expos. Prophet Ionah 523 That sigh which breatheth out sorrow, by a backe-breathing bringeth in joy.
a1605 J. Melville Mem. Own Life (1683) 79 In her back-coming..the Earl of Bothwell rancountered her.
a1666 R. Blair Life (1848) (modernized text) vi. 86 Approving my jealousy, but reproving my backdrawing.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy III. vii. 190 A..hostage, for my safe back-coming.
1858 R. Chambers Domest. Ann. Scotl. I. 4 In all her back-surgings upon the ground she lost.
(f) With nouns of action, forming nouns, as back-caper, back-blast, back-come, back-eddy (usually figurative), back-flip, back-flow also (figurative), back-kick (also figurative), back-look, back-march, back-return, back-somersault, back-step, back-stretch, back-sweep, back-swing (also figurative), back-swirl, back-throw.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > return > [noun]
gaincome?c1225
retourc1330
gaincominga1340
again-cominga1382
returna1393
again-racea1400
returning?c1400
resortc1425
turningc1440
revertence?1457
repairingc1460
again-goinga1475
regress1478
revenuea1500
reversiona1500
back-coming1535
retire?1538
back-return1577
redition1595
regredience1648
reverter1663
epistrophe1814
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > [noun] > reflux
refluxc1460
refluencea1500
back-swirl1577
refluxion1598
refluctuation1666
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] > swing
back-swing1577
carryback1905
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > [noun] > backwards throw
back-throw1577
society > armed hostility > military operations > manoeuvre > [noun] > retreat
retreat1523
retire1548
retract1553
back-march1577
dismarch1600
dismarching1635
skedaddle1870
pullback1943
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sudden or violent sound > explosive sound > [noun]
clapc1440
back-blast1577
bouncea1616
blast1635
fulminating1651
fulmination1651
detonation1677
blow1694
explosion1736
bursting1771
blowing up1772
blowing1799
blow-up1807
pong1823
chunk-chunk1898
chunking1902
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of flowing > [noun] > back or backward
refluxc1460
refluencea1500
back-flow1577
refluxion1598
refluency1615
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > [noun] > manner of playing ball
bata1400
back-swing1577
banding1589
stroke1662
stop1773
swipe1788
hit1810
straik1820
screwing1825
return1833
volleying1837
return stroke1838
volley1851
swiper1853
shot1868
handling1870
screw kick1870
mishit1882
smash1882
misfield1886
fumble1895
run-up1897
mishitting1900
balloon1904
carryback1905
placement1909
tonk1922
trick shot1924
retrieve1952
sizzler1960
undercut1960
shotmaking1969
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > [noun] > swinging or oscillation of suspended body > backward
back-swing1577
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > [noun] > somersault > types of
back-somersault1577
flip-flap1727
handspring1833
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > [noun] > capering > a caper > backwards
back-caper1577
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > [noun] > with the foot > kicking > a kick backwards
back-kick1577
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > machines which impart power > engine > internal-combustion engine > [noun] > reversal
back-kick1577
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. II. iii. iii. sig. Eev/1 At his backreturne into his countrie.
1591 J. Harington tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso xxxv. lxviii. 295 With her goldélaunce, She made him the backe somersaut to daunce. [margin.] Somersaut is a leape that the tomblers vse to cast them selues forward their heeles ouer their head.
1606 Returne from Pernassus ii. vi The dog, seeing him practise his..back-caper.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) v. 0. 42 Till Harryes backe returne againe to France. View more context for this quotation
1645 S. Rutherford Tryal & Triumph of Faith xii. 86 When the conscience hath gotten a back-throw with the hand of the Almighty.
a1718 W. Penn Wks. (1726) I. 454 We wish it be not the Beginning of a Back-march.
1852 G. Grote Hist. Greece IX. ii. lxxv. 479 The back-march of Agesilaus.
1865 ‘L. Carroll’ Alice's Adventures in Wonderland v. 64 You turned a back-somersault in at the door.
1869 Eng. Mech. 31 Dec. 382/2 The weight is by the back-throw from C to A restrained from lowering itself.
1884 Internat. Health Exhib. Official Catal. 72/2 For the prevention of any back-flow of water or sewage.
1899 H. G. Hutchinson in H. G. Hutchinson et al. Bk. Golf & Golfers v. 125 If the back swing is a little tied up..the down swing and its finish are as free as we could have them.
1913 D. H. Lawrence Sons & Lovers xiii. 365 The Trent carries bodily its back-swirls and intertwinings.
1923 R. Kipling Irish Guards in Great War I. 88 Our shrapnel, which had no back-blast.
1924 A. J. Small Frozen Gold xiii. 272 Their back-kicks went out as far as their bushy tails.
1928 T. S. Eliot Dialogue on Poetic Drama p. xxii The age of Shakespeare moved in a steady current, with back-eddies certainly, towards anarchy and chaos.
1934 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Backswing, the movement of the [golf] club backward to the position from which it is brought down to strike the ball.
1935 W. G. Hardy Father Abraham i. ii. 29 His cane cut Simil-i-una..across the calves. Its back-flip caught Abraham just as expertly across the belly.
1936 J. C. Powys Maiden Castle (1937) i. 40 The least back-eddy of remorse or shame.
1939 G. Greene Lawless Roads x. 261 Mexico gave me a back kick.
1940 E. Wilson To Finland Station i. iii. 16 The back-flow of old instincts and interests among the purposes and hopes of the new.
1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 68/1 Back-kick, term applied to the violent reversal of an internal-combustion engine during starting, due to a back~fire.
1948 J. Harvey Plantagenets vii. 87 The break of dynasty and the back~swing of the pendulum.
1954 J. H. Fingleton Ashes crown Year iv. 45 Hole's big back-swing..leaves him vulnerable to an in-swinger.
1966 R. J. Mills & E. Butler Mod. Badminton iv. 34 For the high singles serve..your back~swing should go back further.
1967 Boston Sunday Herald 30 Apr. i. 25/1 The Yanks would do back-flips to get Yaz, Tony C., or Petrocelli.
(g) With other nouns.
(i) expressing backward direction, as back-bias, back-draught (see 2).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] > cause of movement backwards
back-biasa1617
a1617 P. Baynes Comm. Ephes. (1658) 130 Youthful lusts..like a back-bias, did draw after themselves the understanding.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 550 He doth but put a back-bias upon thee; that he might weigh thy motion to himselfe.
(ii) expressing ‘in the contrary direction,’ return-, as back-cargo, cargo brought on the return voyage, back-carriage, back-current, back-fare, back-freight, back-tonnage.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > [noun] > back again
recarriage1541
reconveyance1652
back-carriage1657
retransportationc1751
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > [noun] > fare > return
back-fare1657
return fare1800
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > current > [noun] > opposite
back-current1657
counter-current1684
re-current1873
society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > [noun] > cargo > carried on return voyage
recargaison1656
back-cargo1657
back-freight1657
back-tonnage1657
1657 S. Colvil Mock Poem (1751) 30 He treads the back-scent, brings a glove.
1721 C. King Brit. Merchant I. 361 Sending any empty Ships..for the sake of Back-carriage. Corn has been often carry'd..for nothing, in consideration of Back-Tunnage.
1805 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. 3 320 Our ships incur a loss of back-freight.
1832 in A. Mathews Mem. C. Mathews (1839) IV. 106 No, your honour, not unless you promise me the back-fare.
1833 Ld. Tennyson Poems 36 The fish that everywhere In the backcurrent glanced and played.
1860 in Mercantile Marine Mag. 7 57 It is not difficult to procure back cargo.
(iii) expressing reciprocation or reply, as back-answer (also as v. transitive), back-echo, back-word (see back-word n. at sense 2).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [noun] > regarded as impertinent
back-answer1626
back-talk1858
back-chat1901
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > answer [verb (transitive)] > sharply > impertinently
back-answer1626
to sass back1862
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > [noun] > reverberation or echo
echo1340
repercussion1554
rebound1567
reverberation1569
reverberating1576
answer1609
re-echoing1611
re-echo1613
replicationa1616
back-echo1626
echoinga1649
reboation1648
redounda1665
aftersound1807
verberation1825
reverb1875
anacampsis1879
liveness1931
post-echo1956
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §247 You have many Back-Eccho's to the Place where you stand.
1884 Hull & E.C. Herald 28 Feb. 6/6 The boy was a civil boy, and never gave a back answer.
1915 A. Conan Doyle Valley of Fear ii. ii. 187 ‘You have your back answer quick enough.’ ‘Yes, I was always quick of speech.’
1921 H. Williamson Beautiful Years 221 No one has ever back-answered Sol Isaacs and not paid for it.
1939 G. Greene Confidential Agent ii. i. 184 ‘No more back answers,’ the policeman said.
1959 P. McCutchan Storm South iv. 57 I didn't want to be hauled over the coals for back-answering a passenger.
(iv) expressing ‘turned or performed backwards,’ as back-pater-noster, back-slang n.
d. Parasynthetic derivatives, as back-geared, having back gear; back-handed adj.
ΚΠ
1881 Mechanic §596 Lathe with back-geared head.
2. Special combinations (with quotations in alphabetical order). † back-carry n. Obsolete = backbear n. † back-chair n. Obsolete a chair with a back. † back-hood n. Obsolete hiding behind cover. † back-reckoning n. Obsolete a reckoning for past transactions or misdeeds. † back-stand n. Obsolete backing, support. † back-timber n. Obsolete (humorously for) clothing.† back-trade n. Obsolete backward course.† back-trick n. Obsolete ? a caper backwards in dancing.
back-acter n.
Brit. 
/ˈbakˌaktə/
, /ˈbakˌaktə/U.S. /ˈbækˌæktər/
= backhoe n. below; cf. back-action n./ˈbækˌæktər/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > earth-moving and excavating equipment > [noun] > excavator
steam shovel1801
steam trowel1801
excavator1843
earthmover1871
navvy1877
steam-navvy1881
backhoe1928
Traxcavator1940
back-acter1957
1957 J. H. Arnison Pract. Road Constr. iii. 52 The shafts for the manholes may be cut out by manual labour, and the main trench by mechanical plant such as a back-acter [printed -acker] or trencher.
1963 M. J. Tomlinson Found. Design & Constr. ix. 537 Small hydraulically operated tractor-mounted backacters are being used to an increasing extent for narrow and shallow trench excavation.
1976 Jrnl. (Newcastle) 26 Nov. (advt.) Hymac 370 wheeled digger with back acter.
back-bar n.
Brit. /ˈbakbɑː/
, /ˈbakbɑː/U.S. /ˈbækˌbɑr/
a bar in the chimney to hang a vessel on (Ash)./ˈbækˌbɑr/ back beat n.
Brit. /ˈbak biːt/
, /ˈbak biːt/U.S. /ˈbæk ˌbit/
Jazz a secondary beat./ˈbæk ˌbit/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > proportion of notes or rhythm > [noun] > beat > accented beat
downbeat1766
arsis?1775
thesis1864
back beat1928
1928 Melody Maker Dec. 1295 (heading) Back beats!
1948 Metronome Nov. 28 I'd rather use the high-hat as a back beat and break up the bass drum rhythms.
1977 New Musical Express 12 Feb. 17/1 The pedal steel, sawed-off fiddle and hammering back-beat are a joy, and the dynamics are keen.
1985 Internat. Musician June 53/2 I put down a backbeat and a bass line—a heavy sort of Rock'n'Roll track under what they do which is sing with drums.
back-boiler n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌbɔɪlə/
, /ˈbakˌbɔɪlə/U.S. /ˈbækˌbɔɪlər/
a boiler behind a domestic fire or cooking range./ˈbækˌbɔɪlər/ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [noun] > a device for heating or warming > for heating water
water heater1824
water bar1843
geyser1878
chip heater1900
immersion heater1914
instantaneous (water-)heater1935
back-boiler1939
fridge-heater1957
1939 L. J. Overton Domest. Hot Water Supply iii. 12 The Back-Boiler, for setting in brickwork behind a kitchen range or at the back of an ordinary fireplace.
Categories »
back-box n.
Brit. /ˈbakbɒks/
, /ˈbakbɒks/U.S. /ˈbækˌbɑks/
in Printing, a box on top of the upper case, usually appropriated to small capitals (Craig)./ˈbækˌbɑks/ back-brand n.
Brit. /ˈbakbrand/
, /ˈbakbrand/U.S. /ˈbækˌbrænd/
dialect = backlog n./ˈbækˌbrænd/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > fuel > wood as fuel > [noun] > log
log1398
kinlinc1440
hud1483
chocka1582
logwood1666
backlog1684
back-brand1844
mock1844
1844 W. Barnes Poems Rural Life in Dorset Dial. 201 We got a back bran', dree girt logs.
1874 T. Hardy Far from Madding Crowd II. xxii. 267 The log which was to form the back-brand of the evening fire was the uncleft trunk of a tree.
back-breaker n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌbreɪkə/
, /ˈbakˌbreɪkə/U.S. /ˈbækˌbreɪkər/
(a) the leader of a gang of farm-labourers; (b) a back-breaking task, etc. (cf. back n.1 24a and 1b); also in extended use./ˈbækˌbreɪkər/ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > farmer > [noun] > farm worker > overseer
grieve1513
granger1582
fieldsman1750
capataz1826
back-breaker1867
madrich1944
the world > action or operation > difficulty > types of difficulty > [noun] > difficulty or laboriousness > a difficult or laborious task
travailc1350
labour of Hercules?a1475
task1597
punisher1827
back-breaker1867
bashing1940
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > other equipment of vessel > [noun] > ship's pumps
burr-pump1627
bilge-pump1866
back-breaker1867
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > wrestling > [noun] > manoeuvres
swengOE
turn?c1225
castc1400
trip1412
fall?a1425
foil1553
collar1581
lock1598
faulx1602
fore-hip1602
forward1602
inturn1602
mare1602
hug1617
disembracement1663
buttock1688
throw1698
back-lock1713
cross-buttock1713
flying horse1713
in holds1713
buttocker1823
chip1823
dogfall1823
cross-buttocker1827
hitch1834
bear hug1837
backfall1838
stop1840
armlock1841
side hug1842
click1846
catch-hold1849
back-breaker1867
back-click1867
snap1868
hank1870
nelson1873
headlock1876
chokehold1886
stranglehold1886
hip lock1888
heave1889
strangle1890
pinfall1894
strangler's grip1895
underhold1895
hammer-lock1897
scissor hold1897
body slam1899
scissors hold1899
armbar1901
body scissors1903
scissors grip1904
waist-hold1904
neck hold1905
scissors1909
hipe1914
oshi1940
oshi-dashi1940
oshi-taoshi1940
pindown1948
lift1958
whip1958
Boston crab1961
grapevine1968
powerbomb1990
1867 People's Mag. 4 May 314/2 He selects one of his gang as back-breaker.
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Back breaker, a task requiring excessive exertion.
1929 F. C. Bowen Sea Slang 5 Backbreakers, old-fashioned ship's pumps.
1962 Spectator 13 Apr. 480 I don't fancy the back-breaker or the pile-driver [in wrestling].
back-burn n.
Brit. /ˈbakbəːn/
, /ˈbakbəːn/U.S. /ˈbækˌbərn/
[burn n.3 1b] (see quot. 1944)./ˈbækˌbərn/ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > a fire > [noun] > a kind of fire > fire lit to control bush or forest fire
backfire1839
counter-fire1905
back-burn1944
1944 Soc. Amer. Foresters: Forestry Terminol. 10/1 Back-burn, denotes a controlled fire burning against the wind.
back burner n. /ˌbak ˈbəːnə/, /ˌbæk ˈbərnər/ on a cooking stove, a simmering-burner (burner n. 4c), frequently set behind the front burners or boiling-rings; used figuratively, esp. in on the back burner (colloquial, originally U.S.), (of an issue, etc.) in the state of being (temporarily) relegated or postponed; out of the forefront of attention; deferred, pending.
Brit. /ˈbak ˌbəːnə/
, /ˈbak ˌbəːnə//ˌbak ˈbəːnə/U.S. /ˈbæk ˌbərnər/
, /ˈbæk ˌbərnər//ˌbæk ˈbərnər/ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > [adverb]
delayinglyc1475
lingeringly1589
retardately1598
dilatorily1700
unpromptly1837
procrastinatingly1847
temporizingly1847
on the back burner1963
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > equipment for food preparation > stove or cooker > [noun] > part of
hotplate1803
firebox1838
range cock1842
hearth1845
boiling ring1894
griller1895
grill1907
ring1911
cooktop1941
hob1962
back burner1963
splashplate1967
1963 Times 26 Apr. 14/1 With Mr. Khrushchev showing no interest in the Anglo-American proposals, the test ban, with Berlin and the Soviet evacuation of Cuba, will have to be put on the back burner, as the Americans have it.
1966 Time 4 Feb. 39 That uniform gives prestige and status to a guy who's been 100 years on the back burner.
1973 Newsweek 19 Feb. 33 Integration has become a back-burner issue... The up-front concern now is to improve economic and social conditions for blacks.
1976 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 23 Nov. 11/1 The new Parti Quebecois Government will either have to raise taxes.., or put most of Rene Levesque's election promises on a back burner for the time being.
1986 Times 10 Mar. 2/8 He had misgivings about the GM bid for BL because under its global strategy Britain had been put on the ‘backburner’ for the last decade.
back-burning n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌbəːnɪŋ/
, /ˈbakˌbəːnɪŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌbərnɪŋ/
/ˈbækˌbərnɪŋ/ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > [noun] > going or setting on fire > setting on fire or alight > deliberate burning of vegetation > as means of stopping forest fire
back-burning1878
backfiring1889
counter-firing1930
1878 E. S. Elwell Boy Colonists 90 The ‘back-burning’ of the fire, which though very slow, is always the most steady and most effective.
Thesaurus »
Categories »
Categories »
back-casing n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌkeɪsɪŋ/
, /ˈbakˌkeɪsɪŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌkeɪsɪŋ/
in Mining, a temporary shaft-lining of bricks, in front of which the permanent lining is built./ˈbækˌkeɪsɪŋ/ back-cauter n. /ˈbækˌkɑdər/ (see quot.).
Brit. /ˈbakˌkɔːtə/
, /ˈbakˌkɔːtə/U.S. /ˈbækˌkɔdər/
, /ˈbækˌkɔdər//ˈbækˌkɑdər/ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > other surgical equipment > [noun] > cautery
cultellary?a1425
olivary?a1425
cultelere?c1425
branding-ironc1440
burning-iron1483
cautera1533
actual?1541
cautelayre?1541
searing-iron1541
cautery1543
actual cautery1575
cauterizing iron1575
olive cautery1598
back-cauter1611
cauting-iron1688
brand1692
gamma1809
thermo-cautery1879
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Cautere dorsal, the back cauter: or, that kinde of knife-like cauter, which cuts but on th' one side.
back-chain n.
Brit. /ˈbaktʃeɪn/
, /ˈbaktʃeɪn/U.S. /ˈbækˌtʃeɪn/
a chain that passes over a cart-saddle to support the shafts of a cart./ˈbækˌtʃeɪn/ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > chair > [noun] > chair with back
back-chair1649
1649 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 221 Vnto my daughter Martha two wrought backchaires.
back-clamp v. /ˈbakklamp/,
Brit. /ˌbakˈklamp/
, /ˌbakˈklamp//ˈbakklamp/U.S. /ˈbækˌklæmp/
in Wrestling (see quot.)./ˈbækˌklæmp/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > wrestling > wrestle with [verb (transitive)] > manoeuvres
casta1300
hurl1613
hip1675
back-clamp1713
buttock1823
fling1825
hipe1835
cross-buttock1878
pin1879
hank1881
hammer-lock1905
scissor1907
body slam1932
powerbomb1993
1713 T. Parkyns Inn-play 43 When your Adversary back Clamps you, which is, when he claps his Heel in your Ham.
back-click n.
Brit. /ˈbakklɪk/
, /ˈbakklɪk/U.S. /ˈbækˌklɪk/
a trick in wrestling./ˈbækˌklɪk/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > wrestling > [noun] > manoeuvres
swengOE
turn?c1225
castc1400
trip1412
fall?a1425
foil1553
collar1581
lock1598
faulx1602
fore-hip1602
forward1602
inturn1602
mare1602
hug1617
disembracement1663
buttock1688
throw1698
back-lock1713
cross-buttock1713
flying horse1713
in holds1713
buttocker1823
chip1823
dogfall1823
cross-buttocker1827
hitch1834
bear hug1837
backfall1838
stop1840
armlock1841
side hug1842
click1846
catch-hold1849
back-breaker1867
back-click1867
snap1868
hank1870
nelson1873
headlock1876
chokehold1886
stranglehold1886
hip lock1888
heave1889
strangle1890
pinfall1894
strangler's grip1895
underhold1895
hammer-lock1897
scissor hold1897
body slam1899
scissors hold1899
armbar1901
body scissors1903
scissors grip1904
waist-hold1904
neck hold1905
scissors1909
hipe1914
oshi1940
oshi-dashi1940
oshi-taoshi1940
pindown1948
lift1958
whip1958
Boston crab1961
grapevine1968
powerbomb1990
1867 Standard Apr. Graham threw his antagonist first by a ‘back click.’
back-comb n.
Brit. /ˈbakkəʊm/
, /ˈbakkəʊm/U.S. /ˈbækˌkoʊm/
an ornamental comb worn at the back of the head; also v. transitive and intransitive, to comb the underlying hairs of a strand towards the scalp./ˈbækˌkoʊm/ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > beautify (the hair) [verb (transitive)] > comb
kembc1000
comb1398
pectinate1623
rede1718
to comb out1854
redd1864
back-comb1865
fine-tooth comb1889
rat1904
hackle1929
tease1957
sleek1959
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > accessories worn in the hair > [noun] > comb
side-combc1784
tucking-comb1822
tuck-comb1824
back-comb1865
Spanish comb1873
peineta1926
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend I. ii. xii. 268 Ladies..twisting their back-hair..and many of them..carrying their back-combs in their mouths.
1955 ‘C. Brown’ Lost Girls xii. 130 She had back-combed her hair so that it stood out.
1960 Sunday Express 14 Aug. 12/2 Backcombing madly..my favourite hairdresser..built up some splendid, puffed out effects.
1960 News Chron. 13 Sept. 6/2 The trend in hair styles has been, basically, inflated..set and back~combed into..magnificent proportions.
back-crawl n. /ˌbakˈkrɔːl/, /ˈˌbækˈkrɑl/, /ˈbækˌkrɔl/, /ˈbækˌkrɑl/ in Swimming, a form of the crawl in which the swimmer lies on his or her back.
Brit. /ˈbakkrɔːl/
, /ˈbakkrɔːl//ˌbakˈkrɔːl/U.S. /ˈˌbækˈkrɔl/
, /ˈˌbækˈkrɔl//ˈˌbækˈkrɑl//ˈbækˌkrɔl//ˈbækˌkrɑl/ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > movement in or on water > [noun] > swimming > stroke > specific
hand over hand1844
sidestroke1852
breast swimming1861
steamer1861
breaststroke1864
dog paddle1874
backstroke1876
trudgen1893
frog kick1896
overstroke1902
scissors kick1902
crawl1903
scissors1908
freestyle1916
doggy paddle1921
front crawl1924
back-crawl1929
butterfly stroke1934
butterfly1936
butterfly kick1937
1929 L. de B. Handley & W. J. Howcroft Crawl-stroke Swimming 77 Cinema camera pictures of a number of back~crawl exponents have shown that the majority make an eight beat kick.
1951 Swimming (E.S.S.A.) iii. 43 The back-crawl is the fastest of the back strokes and is the second fastest swimming stroke known.
back-cross v. /ˈbakkrɒs/, /ˈbækˌkrɑs/ Biology (transitive) to cross (a hybrid) with one of its parents.
Brit. /ˌbakˈkrɒs/
, /ˌbakˈkrɒs//ˈbakkrɒs/U.S. /ˈbækˌkrɔs/
, /ˈbækˌkrɔs//ˈbækˌkrɑs/ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > heredity or hereditary descent > [verb (transitive)] > cross
mella1387
cross-breed1675
mix1740
cross1754
hybridize1845
mongrelize1859
interbreed1865
outbreed1888
back-cross1904
outcross1918
1904 Jrnl. Royal Microsc. Soc. 52 The correctness of Mendel's hypothesis of the purity of the germ-cells and of their production in equal numbers, is shown by back-crossing of a hybrid with one of the parental forms... Any one of them back-crossed with the recessive parent will produce 50 p.c. pure recessives and 50 p.c. hybrids.
1915 T. H. Morgan et al. Mechanism Mendelian Heredity iii. 52 If the F1 males are backcrossed to black vestigial females only two classes result.
back-cross n. /ˈbækˌkrɑs/ an instance or product of back-crossing.
Brit. /ˈbakkrɒs/
, /ˈbakkrɒs/U.S. /ˈbækˌkrɔs/
, /ˈbækˌkrɔs//ˈbækˌkrɑs/ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > heredity or hereditary descent > [noun] > cross-breeding or hybridism > hybrid or cross
mongrel1558
hybrid1601
centaur1606
mulatto1664
half-strain1673
cross1761
cross-breed1774
first cross1793
double-cross1810
quadroon1811
intercross1859
outcross1882
reciprocal1901
filial generation1902
monohybrid1902
vicinist1905
first filial (or F₁) generation1909
polyhybrid1910
back-cross1919
second filial (or F₂) generation1938
1919 C. B. Bridges & T. H. Morgan Contrib. Genetics of Drosophila Melanogaster 172 No back-cross which involved autosomal linkage had been possible.
1919 C. B. Bridges & T. H. Morgan Contrib. Genetics of Drosophila Melanogaster 171 Two autosomal back-crosses had been completed.
1919 C. B. Bridges & T. H. Morgan Contrib. Genetics of Drosophila Melanogaster 173 (heading) Back-Cross Test of Females, Purple Vestigial ‘Coupling’.
1931 E. B. Ford Mendelism & Evol. i. i. 6 Segregation will also occur if heterozygotes are mated with either of the homozygous types. Such a mating is known as a ‘back cross’, for it is produced when the F1 (heterozygous) generation is crossed back to one of the parents.
back-crossing n. /ˈbækˌkrɑsɪŋ/
Brit. /ˈbakˌkrɒsɪŋ/
, /ˈbakˌkrɒsɪŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌkrɔsɪŋ/
, /ˈbækˌkrɔsɪŋ//ˈbækˌkrɑsɪŋ/ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > heredity or hereditary descent > [noun] > cross-breeding or hybridism
nick1824
crossing1851
hybridization1851
hybridism1854
intercrossing1859
hybridation1879
outcrossing1890
paragenesis1890
outbreeding1901
back-crossing1904
vicinism1905
monohybridism1907
cross-breeding1932
1904 [see back-cross vb.].
1929 Genetica 11 227 Back-crossing in peas is rather troublesome.
back-cut n.
Brit. /ˈbakkʌt/
, /ˈbakkʌt/U.S. /ˈbækˌkət/
in Cricket, a late cut./ˈbækˌkət/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > types of stroke
long ball1744
nip1752
catch1816
no-hit1827
cut1833
short hit1833
draw1836
drive1836
square hit1837
skylarker1839
skyer1840
skyscraper1842
back-cut1845
bum1845
leg sweep1846
slog1846
square cut1850
driver1851
Harrow drive1851
leg slip1852
poke1853
snick1857
snorter1859
leg stroke1860
smite1861
on-drive1862
bump ball1864
rocketer1864
pull1865
grass trimmer1867
late cut1867
off-drive1867
spoon1871
push1873
push stroke1873
smack1875
Harrow drive1877
pull-stroke1880
leg glance1883
gallery-hit1884
boundary-stroke1887
glide1888
sweep1888
boundary1896
hook1896
leg glide1896
backstroke1897
flick1897
hook stroke1897
cover-drive1898
straight drive1898
square drive1900
edger1905
pull-drive1905
slash1906
placing stroke1907
push drive1912
block shot1915
if-shot1920
placing shot1921
cow-shot1922
mow1925
Chinese cut1937
haymaker1954
hoick1954
perhapser1954
air shot1956
steepler1959
mishook1961
swish1963
chop-
1845 N. Wanostrocht Felix on Bat i. ii. 12 He could not make the back cut equal to the other parts of his batting.
1898 G. Giffen With Bat & Ball App. 221 The back cut, the sweetest of strokes.
back-cut v.
Brit. /ˈbakkʌt/
, /ˈbakkʌt/U.S. /ˈbækˌkət/
(transitive)/ˈbækˌkət/ΚΠ
1954 J. H. Fingleton Ashes crown Year xi. 112 Back-cutting a no-ball from Lindwall most beautifully for 4.
back-cutting n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌkʌtɪŋ/
, /ˈbakˌkʌtɪŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌkədɪŋ/
in Civil Engineering (see quots.)./ˈbækˌkədɪŋ/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > earth > [noun] > for building or constructing
back-cutting1842
wichert1912
pisé de terre1919
backfill1934
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > types of batting
blocking1637
quilting1822
defence1825
cutting1827
forward play1828
defensive1832
swiping1833
back-cutting1842
straight play1843
back play1844
sticking1873
leg play1877
off-driving1884
gallery-hitting1888
goose game1899
straight driving1904
stroke-play1905
pad play1906
on-driving1948
stroke-making1956
1842 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 5 84/2 The cutting..was in the line of railway, or what is called back-cutting, in contradistinction to earth got out of the line, which is called side-cutting.
1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 68/1 Back cutting, earth obtained for a railway or canal bank, when the excavated earth does not suffice for a regular cut and fill.
back-double n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌdʌbl/
, /ˈbakˌdʌbl/U.S. /ˈbækˌdəb(ə)l/
dialect a back street, a side road./ˈbækˌdəb(ə)l/ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > street > [noun] > back street
back streetc1450
back-double1932
1932 A. R. L. Gardner Tinker's Kitchen 281 Back-doubles = back streets.
1938 ‘J. Curtis’ They drive by Night viii. 98 Tied up in these back doubles.
1957 L. P. Hartley Hireling 43 Leadbitter avoided the thronged main roads, steering his way through the ‘back-doubles’, to save time and petrol.
1976 A. Hill Summer's End i. 8 I left the fields behind and crossed the high street, then round the back-doubles to school.
back-draught n. /ˈbakdraft/,
Brit. /ˈbakdrɑːft/
, /ˈbakdrɑːft//ˈbakdraft/U.S. /ˈbækˌdræft/
(a) a draught of air backward, a hood for producing this in a fire; (b) a drawing in of the breath; an act of drinking or gulping down Scottish; (c) a reverse current of water, under-tow./ˈbækˌdræft/ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > current > [noun] > reverse
back-draught1825
backwater1830
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [noun] > a device for heating or warming > devices for heating buildings, rooms, etc. > chimney > plate or hood to control draught
cowc1736
hood1750
damping1756
damper1788
air damper1794
cowl1812
back-draught1825
mitre1890
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. at Back He was whaslin like a blastit stirk i' the backdraucht.
1869 Eng. Mech. 24 Dec. 344/1 A hood or ‘back draught’ is applied over the fire.
1874 G. M. Hopkins Note-bks. & Papers 13 Aug. (1937) 202 It [sc. the wave] commonly has a pitch or lurch to one side besides its backdraught.
1887 W. Morris tr. Homer Odyssey I. v. 97 The back-draft mightily Fell on him, and..drave him out to sea.
1887 W. Morris tr. Homer Odyssey I. xii. 218 Nor happen thou upon her [sc. Charybdis] when the back-draught she doth win.
1922 J. B. Salmond Bawbee Bowden xii. 104 Wi' the backdraucht [he] sent a moofu' o' tea up throo his nose.
backdrop n.
Brit. /ˈbakdrɒp/
, /ˈbakdrɒp/U.S. /ˈbækˌdrɑp/
Theatre (originally U.S.) = backcloth n. 2; also transferred and figurative./ˈbækˌdrɑp/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > scenery > cloth > types of
sky-border1744
skydrop1854
skycloth1871
sea-cloth1883
cut cloth1884
front cloth1884
backcloth1886
backdrop1913
cyclorama1915
teaser1916
scrim1930
cut drop1961
1913 Amer. Mag. July 103/1 When the film is run off you see the back~drop right through him [sc. the Ghost] while he approaches Hamlet.
1947 D. M. Davin For Rest of Lives xliii. 215 ‘Antimacassars, potstands complete with ferns, occasional tables, bric-a-brac.’ ‘Sounds like the backdrop of a Victorian wedding photo.’
1962 Listener 13 Sept. 390/1 A particular contribution to any science can only be assessed against the backdrop of history.
back-electro-motive force n. /ˈˌbækiˌlɛktroʊˌmoʊdɪv ˈfɔrs/ (also back e.m.f) in Electrical Engineering, an electro-motive force which opposes that producing the current.
Brit. /ˌbakᵻˌlɛktrə(ʊ)ˌməʊtɪv ˈfɔːs/
, /ˌbakᵻˌlɛktrə(ʊ)ˌməʊtɪv ˈfɔːs/U.S. /ˈˌbækəˌlɛktroʊˌmoʊdɪv ˈfɔrs/
, /ˈˌbækəˌlɛktroʊˌmoʊdɪv ˈfɔrs//ˈˌbækiˌlɛktroʊˌmoʊdɪv ˈfɔrs/ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > voltage > [noun] > opposing current
back-electro-motive force1895
1895 Rutherford in Trans. & Proc. N.Z. Inst. 1895 (1896) 28 190 Since dN/dt may be called the back E.M.F. in the circuit at any instant.
1898 T. O'C. Sloane Standard Electr. Dict. 156 Counter-electro-motive Force..Synonym—Back Electro-motive Force.
1898 T. O'C. Sloane Standard Electr. Dict. 156 Back Electro-motive Force of Polarization.
1901 Geipel & Kilgour Electr. Engin. Formulæ (ed. 2) 668 When the anode and cathode are of the same metal..there is no back E.M.F., for the back E.M.F. at the one electrode is of opposite sign to that at the other, and they cancel one another.
1936 Discovery July 202/2 In the very small fraction of a second that the current is flowing in one direction, the back electro-motive force which opposes it has not time to form.
backfield n.
Brit. /ˈbakfiːld/
, /ˈbakfiːld/U.S. /ˈbækˌfild/
in Baseball, the outfield (rare or nonce-use); in American football, the (positions occupied by) players behind the line of scrimmage./ˈbækˌfild/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > baseball ground > [noun] > outfield
centre field1835
left field1857
left1867
garden1868
backfield1911
outside1913
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > types of player > specific group of players
defensive line1632
rush1881
rush line1882
offensive line1893
strong side1905
backfield1911
platoon1941
secondary1955
suicide squad1960
D-line1971
1911 Collier's 12 Aug. 21/2 From the home plate to the back field was a marked physical retrogression, ending in three strident but barely perceptible fielders.
1923 Outing Mar. 287/1 Now look at the backfield, the terror of all elevens.
1944 N. Mailer in E. Seaver Cross-section 346 They had this play built around me, where I shift into the backfield..making me eligible to hold the ball.
1970 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 28 Sept. 23/6 Halfback Bill Simpson, playing his first game in London's offensive backfield after being shifted from defense.
1983 Washington Post 10 Nov. e8 Maryland's football team practiced for the third straight day yesterday without its starting backfield.
back-fill v. /ˈbakfɪl/,
Brit. /ˌbakˈfɪl/
, /ˌbakˈfɪl//ˈbakfɪl/U.S. /ˈbækˌfɪl/
(1651 in Dict. Older Sc. Tongue)/ˈbækˌfɪl/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > earth-moving, etc. > [verb (transitive)] > fill in earth
to cover in1819
back-fill1930
1930 Engineering 29 Aug. 259/2 The trenches have to be backfilled with sand, gravel or other good clean earth.
1955 Archit. Rev. 118 393/3 Mineral operators, when they have finished extraction, are generally free to backfill without planning consent.
backfill n.
Brit. /ˈbakfɪl/
, /ˈbakfɪl/U.S. /ˈbækˌfɪl/
excavated earth, etc., used in backfilling./ˈbækˌfɪl/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > earth > [noun] > for building or constructing
back-cutting1842
wichert1912
pisé de terre1919
backfill1934
1934 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Backfill.
1975 Daily Tel. 16 Dec. 2/4 Excavated Materials:..used as backfill to foundations and bases in lieu of hardcore.
back-filled adj. /ˈbakfɪld/,
Brit. /ˌbakˈfɪld/
, /ˌbakˈfɪld//ˈbakfɪld/U.S. /ˈbækˌfɪld/
/ˈbækˌfɪld/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > earth-moving, etc. > [adjective] > other specific processes
rammed1582
pick and gad1881
bulldozed1936
bulldozered1952
back-filled1960
1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 12 Jan. 63/2 Levelling off back-filled tile drain trenches.
back-filling n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌfɪlɪŋ/
, /ˈbakˌfɪlɪŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌfɪlɪŋ/
the filling in again of earth which has been removed, the earth so filled in./ˈbækˌfɪlɪŋ/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > earth-moving, etc. > [noun] > other specific processes
shovellingc1440
brooking1610
resoiling1839
riprapping1839
misering1842
back-filling1901
cut-and-fill1904
bulldozing1937
1901 R. Sturgis Dict. Archit. I. 181/1 Back-filling,..masonry or earth, and the like, used as a filling over the back (or extrados) of arched constructions, as tunnels and sewers.
back-flap n.
Brit. /ˈbakflap/
, /ˈbakflap/U.S. /ˈbækˌflæp/
= back-shutter n./ˈbækˌflæp/ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > window or door > parts of windows > [noun] > fittings or ornaments of windows > shutter > parts of shutter
leafc1380
back-flap1823
back-fold1851
back-shutter-
1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 218 Back-shutters or Back-flaps, Additional breadths hinged to the front shutters.
back-flash n.
Brit. /ˈbakflaʃ/
, /ˈbakflaʃ/U.S. /ˈbækˌflæʃ/
the act or process of flashing back (Webster, 1934); spec. (a) Forestry (see quot. 1957); (b) = flashback n. 2./ˈbækˌflæʃ/ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > disease or injury > [noun] > movement of poison through plant
back-flash1957
the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > [noun] > instance of > in visual form
flashback1916
back-flash1957
1957 Cook & Welch in Jrnl. Forestry 55 265/1 ‘Backflash’—the sickening or sudden death, for no apparent reason, of untreated trees in a stand where chemi-peeling has been done.
1958 New Statesman 1 Feb. 144/3 Spiro's ruinous past is displayed in a series of back-flashes.
1960 Ecology 41 56/2 Backflash is the movement of poison, through root grafts, from poisoned trees to unpoisoned trees.
1963 in Brown & Foote Early English & Norse Studies 133 These disorderly and almost randomly presented backflashes [in Beowulf] fed to the audience are..truly confusing to a person not saturated with the material.
back focus n.
Brit. /ˈbak ˌfəʊkəs/
, /ˈbak ˌfəʊkəs/U.S. /ˈbæk ˌfoʊkəs/
in Photography (see quots.)./ˈbæk ˌfoʊkəs/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > action of taking photograph > technical factors > [noun] > type of focusing
depth of field1855
circle of least confusion1867
flatness of field1867
infinity1867
register1890
fixed focus1892
back focus1897
circle of confusion1906
isocentre1931
split-field1941
split-image1950
1897 E. J. Wall Dict. Photogr. (ed. 7) 295 ‘Back focus’..is the distance between the posterior lens and ground-lens.
1953 S. W. Amos & D. C. Birkinshaw Television Engin. I. ix. 202 The distance between the lens and the image, known as the back focus.
back-fold n.
Brit. /ˈbakfəʊld/
, /ˈbakfəʊld/U.S. /ˈbækˌfoʊld/
/ˈbækˌfoʊld/ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > window or door > parts of windows > [noun] > fittings or ornaments of windows > shutter > parts of shutter
leafc1380
back-flap1823
back-fold1851
back-shutter-
1851 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 12 i. 158 The windows..finished with bound shutters and back-folds.
back-front n.
Brit. /ˈbakfrʌnt/
, /ˈbakfrʌnt/U.S. /ˈbækˌfrənt/
the ground in an etching or engraving./ˈbækˌfrənt/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > printmaking > engraving > [noun] > ground
ground1728
back-front1752
1752 tr. E. F. Gersaint Catal. Etchings Rembrandt 59 The Back-front or Ground is generally foul.
back-harrow n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌharəʊ/
, /ˈbakˌharəʊ/U.S. /ˈbækˌhɛroʊ/
(see harrow n.1)./ˈbækˌhɛroʊ/ back-heart n.
Brit. /ˈbakhɑːt/
, /ˈbakhɑːt/U.S. /ˈbækˌhɑrt/
the dorsal heart or large blood vessel of insects and other arthropoda./ˈbækˌhɑrt/ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > [noun] > member of > parts of > dorsal heart
back-heart1883
1883 Longman's Mag. May 49 A jointed animal..with a back-heart, a nervous system below, and a digestive tube.
backhoe n.
Brit. /ˈbakhəʊ/
, /ˈbakhəʊ/U.S. /ˈbækˌhoʊ/
U.S. an excavating vehicle in which the scoop is rigidly attached to the lower end of a short hinged arm at the end of a boom and is pulled towards the vehicle in operation; = back-acter n./ˈbækˌhoʊ/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > earth-moving and excavating equipment > [noun] > excavator
steam shovel1801
steam trowel1801
excavator1843
earthmover1871
navvy1877
steam-navvy1881
backhoe1928
Traxcavator1940
back-acter1957
1928 Engin. & Contracting 67 193/3 A new gasoline powered shovel... In changing from shovel to clamshell, back hoe or dragline service, no additions or changes are necessary in the operating machinery.
1950 Engin. News-Record 23 Nov. 32 (heading) Something new in big-sewer excavation is started in Chicago... Long-boomed backhoe digs deep trench.
1984 J. Updike Witches of Eastwick i. 52 There's this constant rumbling from the backhoes moving boulders.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > [noun]
hiding?c1225
heelinga1250
hidea1300
hillinga1300
coverturec1374
tapinage1390
concealing1421
hodymokec1450
occultation1453
concelising1492
blindnessa1616
concealmenta1616
shrouding1615
back-hood1621
absconsion1649
screening1651
obvelation1664
muffling1788
tucking1810
smokescreening1922
1621 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Morall Fables (Hart) 34 Hee played back-hood [?a1500 bukhude] behind from beast to beast.
back-jamb n.
Brit. /ˈbakdʒam/
, /ˈbakdʒam/U.S. /ˈbækˌdʒæm/
a wing of a house projecting behind./ˈbækˌdʒæm/ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > projecting subdivision > at rear
back-jamb1833
tunnel-back1957
1833 M. Scott Tom Cringle's Log xxiii, in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Aug. 154/2 A very handsome dining-room, situated in what I believe is called a back jamb, a sort of outrigger to the house.
back-lift n.
Brit. /ˈbaklɪft/
, /ˈbaklɪft/U.S. /ˈbækˌlɪft/
in Cricket, a backward lift given to the bat immediately before a stroke is played; in Rugby and Association Football, a backward lift given to the leg when kicking a ball./ˈbækˌlɪft/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > characteristics of team ball games > [noun] > actions or manoeuvres
ball1483
through-pass1673
intercept1821
fielding1823
outfielding1851
wrist stroke1851
goalkeeping1856
shot1868
scrimmage1872
passing1882
save1883
touchback1884
angle shot1885
shooting1885
pass1887
line1891
tackling1893
feeding1897
centre1898
chip shot1899
glovework1906
back-lift1912
push pass1919
aerial1921
screen1921
ball-hawking1925
fast break1929
tackle1930
chip1939
screenshot1940
snapshot1961
hang time1969
one-two1969
blooter1976
passback1976
sidefoot1979
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > other batting actions
backing-up1816
slip1833
wrist-play1851
leg before1867
follow-through1891
gardening1897
wrist-work1898
whip1903
back-lift1912
1912 C. B. Fry Cricket (Batsmanship) 8 Top of the back-lift for the cut.
1955 A. Ross Australia 55 135 He is not happy against real pace. His back lift, circular rather than straight, is high.
1960 E. S. Higham & W. J. Higham High Speed Rugby ii. 28 Often enough during a game, you..must kick immediately. Once more, be content, at first, with a short back-lift and a short follow through.
1961 Times 19 Jan. 3/7 This highly mobile dangerous centre forward who was prepared to shoot on sight with scarcely any backlift.
back-light n.
Brit. /ˈbaklʌɪt/
, /ˈbaklʌɪt/U.S. /ˈbækˌlaɪt/
a light coming from behind or falling upon the hinder part (Worcester 1859)./ˈbækˌlaɪt/ back-lighting n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌlʌɪtɪŋ/
, /ˈbakˌlʌɪtɪŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌlaɪdɪŋ/
in Photography, lighting coming from behind the subject./ˈbækˌlaɪdɪŋ/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > action of taking photograph > technical factors > [noun] > type of light
raking light1857
contre-jour1921
key light1941
back-lighting1950
1950 R. H. Bomback Cine Data Book 78 ‘Baby’ Solarspot..small size unit for modelling, back-lighting, front and cross-lighting.
1950 R. H. Bomback Cine Data Book 78 General-purpose lamp, particularly suited for back-lighting.
1959 J. Halas & R. Manvell Technique Film Animation 336 Back lighting is used on the rostrum camera beneath either a drawing or a celluloid to give a silhouette or a transparent effect.
Categories »
back-lining n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌlʌɪnɪŋ/
, /ˈbakˌlʌɪnɪŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌlaɪnɪŋ/
in Architecture, the piece of a sash-frame parallel to the pulley piece and next to the jamb on either side (Gwilt 1842)./ˈbækˌlaɪnɪŋ/ back-links n.
Brit. /ˈbaklɪŋks/
, /ˈbaklɪŋks/U.S. /ˈbækˌlɪŋks/
the links in a parallel motion which connect the air-pump rod to the beam (Weale Dict. Terms 1849)./ˈbækˌlɪŋks/ back-lock n.
Brit. /ˈbaklɒk/
, /ˈbaklɒk/U.S. /ˈbækˌlɑk/
a trick in wrestling./ˈbækˌlɑk/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > wrestling > [noun] > manoeuvres
swengOE
turn?c1225
castc1400
trip1412
fall?a1425
foil1553
collar1581
lock1598
faulx1602
fore-hip1602
forward1602
inturn1602
mare1602
hug1617
disembracement1663
buttock1688
throw1698
back-lock1713
cross-buttock1713
flying horse1713
in holds1713
buttocker1823
chip1823
dogfall1823
cross-buttocker1827
hitch1834
bear hug1837
backfall1838
stop1840
armlock1841
side hug1842
click1846
catch-hold1849
back-breaker1867
back-click1867
snap1868
hank1870
nelson1873
headlock1876
chokehold1886
stranglehold1886
hip lock1888
heave1889
strangle1890
pinfall1894
strangler's grip1895
underhold1895
hammer-lock1897
scissor hold1897
body slam1899
scissors hold1899
armbar1901
body scissors1903
scissors grip1904
waist-hold1904
neck hold1905
scissors1909
hipe1914
oshi1940
oshi-dashi1940
oshi-taoshi1940
pindown1948
lift1958
whip1958
Boston crab1961
grapevine1968
powerbomb1990
1713 T. Parkyns Inn-play 18 Stand with that Toe out and Leg bent, over which he intends to take the Buttock, or Back-Lock.
back-nails n.
Brit. /ˈbakneɪlz/
, /ˈbakneɪlz/U.S. /ˈbækˌneɪlz/
‘nails made with flat shanks, so as to hold fast, and not to open the grain of the wood’ (James Mil. Dict. 1816)./ˈbækˌneɪlz/ back-overman n.
Brit. /ˌbakˈəʊvəmən/
, /ˌbakˈəʊvəmən/U.S. /ˈˌbækˈoʊvərˌmæn/
in Coal Mining, an overman who has the immediate inspection of the workings and workmen during the back-shift n./ˈˌbækˈoʊvərˌmæn/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > miner > [noun] > supervisors or inspectors
bottom captain1778
back-overman1876
marker1901
cap-man1921
1876 Daily News 28 Sept. 4/4 The death of a back overman, two miners, and a driver.
back-painting n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌpeɪntɪŋ/
, /ˈbakˌpeɪntɪŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌpeɪn(t)ɪŋ/
(see quot.)./ˈbækˌpeɪn(t)ɪŋ/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > ornamental glass-work > [noun] > pasting designs to glass
back-painting1753
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Back-painting, the art of pasting of prints and other designs on glass.
1815 Encycl. Brit. III. 309 Back-painting, the method of painting mezzotinto prints, pasted on glass, with oil colours.
back-pater-noster n. /ˌbakˈpatənɒstə/, /ˌbækˈpɑdərˌnɑstər/ the Lord's prayer repeated backward as a charm, figurative a muttered curse or imprecation.
Brit. /ˌbakˌpatəˈnɒstə/
, /ˌbakˌpatəˈnɒstə//ˌbakˈpatənɒstə/U.S. /ˌbækˈpædərˌnɑstər/
, /ˌbækˈpædərˌnɑstər//ˌbækˈpɑdərˌnɑstər/ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [noun] > oaths other than religious or obscene > imprecations
murrainc1400
devil's paternosterc1405
back-pater-noster1561
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [noun] > spell > kinds of
night-spellc1390
white paternosterc1390
back-pater-noster1561
counter-charm1601
witches' prayer1663
counter-spell1725
karakia1832
rune1841
black paternoster1851
conjure1873
1561 Abp. M. Parker Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 158 Prayers, for the Queen's Majesty's prosperity and continuance; where others say their back pater-nosters for her in corners.
back play n.
Brit. /ˈbak pleɪ/
, /ˈbak pleɪ/U.S. /ˈbæk ˌpleɪ/
in Cricket, a method of play in which the batter steps back towards the wicket and plays the ball from behind the popping crease; hence back-player./ˈbæk ˌpleɪ/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > types of batting
blocking1637
quilting1822
defence1825
cutting1827
forward play1828
defensive1832
swiping1833
back-cutting1842
straight play1843
back play1844
sticking1873
leg play1877
off-driving1884
gallery-hitting1888
goose game1899
straight driving1904
stroke-play1905
pad play1906
on-driving1948
stroke-making1956
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricketer > [noun] > batsman > types of batsman
sticker1832
short runner1833
punisher1846
slogger1850
blocker1851
cutter1851
swiper1853
top scorer1860
stick1863
left-hander1864
smiter1878
centurion1886
driver1888
pad-player1888
poker1888
spectacle-maker1893
back-player1897
hooker1900
under-runner1903
puller1911
square cutter1920
straight driver1925
stroke-maker1927
goose-gamer1928
stroke-player1935
flasher1936
sweeper1961
tonker1977
1844 Lillywhite's Illustr. Hand-bk. Cricket 19 Forward play..is more pleasing and graceful..than the back play.
1897 K. S. Ranjitsinhji Jubilee Bk. Cricket iv. 174 All the really strong back-players draw back in making back-strokes.
back-pressure n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌprɛʃə/
, /ˈbakˌprɛʃə/U.S. /ˈbækˌprɛʃər/
in the steam-engine, the resistance of the atmosphere or waste steam to the piston; also, any resistance to the flow of a liquid or gas; also attributive./ˈbækˌprɛʃər/ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > force > [noun] > resistance > other specific resistance
water resistance1827
back-pressure1860
point resistance1941
1860 Encycl. Brit. XX. 600/2 The mean back-pressure..exceeds the pressure of condensation.
a1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. I. 206/2 Back-pressure valve, a ball or clack-valve in a pipe.
1930 Engineering 5 Dec. 699/2 To this station will be supplied all the surplus power generated by the back-pressure turbine.
1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 69/1 Back-pressure, air pressure in pipes when it exceeds atmospheric pressure.
back-projected adj. /ˈbakprəˌdʒɛktᵻd/, /ˌbækproʊˈdʒɛktəd/, /ˈbækprəˌdʒɛktəd/, /ˈbækproʊˌdʒɛktəd/
Brit. /ˌbakprəˈdʒɛktᵻd/
, /ˌbakprəˈdʒɛktᵻd//ˈbakprəˌdʒɛktᵻd/U.S. /ˌbækprəˈdʒɛktəd/
, /ˌbækprəˈdʒɛktəd//ˌbækproʊˈdʒɛktəd//ˈbækprəˌdʒɛktəd//ˈbækproʊˌdʒɛktəd/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > projection > [adjective] > projected
back-projected1962
1962 Times 28 Sept. 17/3 The backgrounds, whether painted or back-projected, are handsome and spare.
back projection n.
Brit. /ˌbak prəˈdʒɛkʃn/
, /ˌbak prəˈdʒɛkʃn/U.S. /ˌbæk prəˈdʒɛkʃən/
Cinematography (see quot. 1933)./ˌbæk prəˈdʒɛkʃən/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > projection > [noun]
projection1687
screen image1876
show1897
front projection1910
rear projection1913
back projection1933
projecting1959
1933 A. Brunel Filmcraft 153 Back projection, projection on to a transparent surface, with the projector behind the screen, hidden from the view of the audience in a cinema and from the view of the camera in a studio.
1939 J. Dell Nobody ordered Wolves vii. 90 Back-projection..is a process by means of which an actor in Hertfordshire can be shown in Hyde Park, or the Bois, or the plains of Tibet. By the simple expedient of placing the actor in front of a screen on which is projected a film of the required setting, and by synchronising the two cameras.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > [noun] > returning to a topic > as reckoning
back-reckoning1465
1465 Paston Lett. 522 II. 224 Thou comyst in with many bak rekenyngges.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts i. 142 Thou callest me to a backe-reckoning for the very sinnes of my youth.
back-rope n.
Brit. /ˈbakrəʊp/
, /ˈbakrəʊp/U.S. /ˈbækˌroʊp/
(of a horse) = backband n.; Nautical, a rope leading inboard from the martingale; see also quot. 1860 for back-pressure n./ˈbækˌroʊp/ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [noun] > harness of draught animal > backband
ridgewortha1300
rigtowc1310
ridge ropea1333
rigband1408
ridge-band1418
rigwithy1419
rigwiddie1513
backband?1523
rigwithe1570
back-rope1711
rig-ropea1728
ridger1733
ridge chain1757
straddle-band1901
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > rigging > [noun] > running rigging > ropes securing bowsprit or jib-boom
martingale1794
back-rope1840
gaub-line1841
jib-guy1868
1711 in London Gaz. No. 4868/4 A white Spot on the middle of his Back made by the chafing of a back Rope.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxxv. 132 Tackle [was] got upon the martingale backrope.
c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 57 The cat is hooked, by means of the back-rope, to the ring of the anchor.
back saw n. /ˈbæk ˌsɑ/ (see quot.).
Brit. /ˈbak sɔː/
, /ˈbak sɔː/U.S. /ˈbæk ˌsɔ/
, /ˈbæk ˌsɔ//ˈbæk ˌsɑ/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > saw > [noun] > other saws
handsaw1399
rug-saw1582
frame saw1633
nocksaw1659
bow-saw1678
lock saw1688
stadda1688
wire saw1688
panel saw1754
keyhole saw1761
web saw1799
table saw1832
rack saw1846
scroll-saw1851
fretsaw1865
back saw1874
foxtail-saw1874
tub-saw1874
gullet-saw1875
Swede saw1934
1874 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. I. 206/2 Back-saw, a saw whose web is stiffened by a metallic back of greater substance; as, a tenon saw.
back-scene n.
Brit. /ˈbaksiːn/
, /ˈbaksiːn/U.S. /ˈbækˌsin/
the background of a stage scene./ˈbækˌsin/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > scenery > pieces of
side shutter1634
drop1781
flat1795
back-scene1818
border1824
profile1824
act drop1829
set piece1859
profiling1861
profile wing1873
backing1889
profile piece1896
revolve1900
construction1924
wood-wing1933
cutout1949
1818 Ld. Byron Beppo xxxviii. 20 Much like the back scene of a play.
back-shaft n. /ˈbakʃaft/,
Brit. /ˈbakʃɑːft/
, /ˈbakʃɑːft//ˈbakʃaft/U.S. /ˈbækˌʃæft/
part of a cotton-spinning machine./ˈbækˌʃæft/ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture of thread or yarn > [noun] > spinning > machine > parts of
knave1564
porcupine roller1776
catch box1809
jack-frame1814
Jack-in-the-box1814
flyer frame1825
sneck1825
thread-wire1825
creel1835
fly-frame1835
self-actor1835
trumpet-mouth1835
counter-faller1836
Jack1875
trumpet1877
back-shaft1879
builder1884
pot-eye1884
twizzle1884
rice creel1895
1879 J. Robertson in Cassell's Techn. Educator IV. 396/1 Between the roller-beam and the creels the back-shaft extends to each end of the mule.
back-shift n.
Brit. /ˈbakʃɪft/
, /ˈbakʃɪft/U.S. /ˈbækˌʃɪft/
in Coal Mining, the second shift or set of hewers for the day./ˈbækˌʃɪft/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > miner > [noun] > other specific mine workers
chipper1747
blaster1776
tributor1778
striker1824
shifter1830
bandsman1852
back-shift1860
drifter1864
metal man1883
stower1886
wagoner1886
hard rock1922
beacher1923
1860 Eng. & Foreign Mining Gloss. (new ed.) (Newcastle Terms) 48 Back-shift, the second set of hewers in each day.
backshore n.
Brit. /ˈbakʃɔː/
, /ˈbakʃɔː/U.S. /ˈbækˌʃɔr/
(see quot. 1919)./ˈbækˌʃɔr/ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > land mass > shore or bank > seashore or coast > [noun] > beach or foreshore > part behind
backshore1919
1919 D. W. Johnson Shore Processes iv. 161 This zone is already well known as the foreshore. Back of it is the portion of the shore covered by water during exceptional storms only, which I propose to call the backshore.
1937 S. W. Wooldridge & R. S. Morgan Physical Basis Geogr. xxi. 322 We may thus distinguish the ‘foreshore’..from the ‘backshore’ lying immediately at the cliff-foot.
Thesaurus »
Categories »
back-shutter n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌʃʌtə/
, /ˈbakˌʃʌtə/U.S. /ˈbækˌʃədər/
the part of a shutter which folds up behind./ˈbækˌʃədər/Categories »
back-skin n.
Brit. /ˈbakskɪn/
, /ˈbakskɪn/U.S. /ˈbækˌskɪn/
in Mining, a leather covering worn by miners in wet workings./ˈbækˌskɪn/Categories »
back-spang n.
Brit. /ˈbakspaŋ/
, /ˈbakspaŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌspæŋ/
, /ˈbækˌspæŋ/Scottish English /ˈbakspaŋ/
Scottish a trick or legal quirk, by which one takes advantage of another, after a bargain has been adjusted (Jamieson)./ˈbakspaŋ/Categories »
back-speed n.
Brit. /ˈbakspiːd/
, /ˈbakspiːd/U.S. /ˈbækˌspid/
in Mechanics, the second speed-gear of a lathe./ˈbækˌspid/ back-spin n.
Brit. /ˈbakspɪn/
, /ˈbakspɪn/U.S. /ˈbækˌspɪn/
= underspin n./ˈbækˌspɪn/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > bowling > [noun] > a ball bowled > motion of ball > specific
curl1833
screw1840
devil1845
rise1845
work1846
break1851
spin1851
hang1866
bump1867
fire1888
leg-spin1888
air break1900
turn1900
underspin1901
off-spin1904
finger spin1905
swing1906
back-spin1916
outswing1921
inswing1927
away swing1936
wrist-spin1960
1916 E. F. Benson David Blaize x. 200 He chipped at it [sc. the ball] with a lot of back-spin.
1920 E. R. Wilson in P. F. Warner Cricket (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) (new ed.) ii. 84 Back spin is undercut applied to the back half of the ball, and is more easily put on with a low action.
1926 Amer. Speech 1 632/1 Backspin, when put on the ball [in golf] brings a special kind of stop shot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [noun]
holtc1375
fastnessa1382
maintenance1384
supportc1391
suppowell1399
supportationc1405
subministrationa1425
conforturec1475
stay1532
back-stand1548
supportance1576
backing1598
voice1600
supportment1607
supporture1609
seconding1613
manutenency?1630
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. iii Lytle auayleth outward warre, except there be..a stedfast backstande at home.
back-step n.
Brit. /ˈbakstɛp/
, /ˈbakstɛp/U.S. /ˈbækˌstɛp/
a step back; the retrograde movement without changing front (James Mil. Dict. 1816)./ˈbækˌstɛp/ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] > step
back-step1562
1562 J. Heywood Sixt Hundred Epigrammes xiv, in Wks. sig. Ccii If one backstep, be as much as foresteps three.
back-stool n.
Brit. /ˈbakstuːl/
, /ˈbakstuːl/U.S. /ˈbækˌstul/
a stool with a back./ˈbækˌstul/ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > stool > [noun] > other stools
standing stool1578
Turkey stool1640
back-stool1762
bar-stool1922
riempie stool1933
step-stool1966
1762 W. Ince & J. Mayhew Universal Syst. Houshold Furnit. 8/1 Four Designs of Back Stool Chairs... Four more Designs of Back Stools.
1945 Burlington Mag. July 164/2 The single chair was called at first a ‘back-stool’; for it was not a variation of the armchair by the removal of the arms, but a development of the stool, to which, in order to make it more comfortable, a back was added—hence the name back-stool.
1952 J. Gloag Short Dict. Furnit. 121 Although referred to in Elizabethan inventories, back stools were not in common use until the middle years of the 17th century, and the name survived during the 18th century.
back-straight n.
Brit. /ˈbakstreɪt/
, /ˈbakstreɪt/U.S. /ˈbækˌstreɪt/
(see straight n. 3), the stretch along the side of a racecourse or stadium opposite to that in which the races end./ˈbækˌstreɪt/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > [noun] > course or track > parts of
run-in1799
quarter-stretch1830
home run1833
hurdle1833
back stretch1839
home stretch1841
straight1846
last lap1848
straightaway1878
home straight1880
stretch1895
back-straight1905
the wall1974
1905 Cycling 24 May 441/3 The teeming thousands on the terraces above the back-straight.
1952 M. Duggan in D. M. Davin N.Z. Short Stories (1953) 246 She saw them go into the bend and show again..across the back-straight.
back-striking n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌstrʌɪkɪŋ/
, /ˈbakˌstrʌɪkɪŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌstraɪkɪŋ/
Agriculture a mode of ploughing in which the earth once turned is simply thrown back again./ˈbækˌstraɪkɪŋ/ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > furrow > methods of turning furrow
henting?a1605
veering1733
ribbling1770
casting1825
cut-and-cover1839
back-striking1844
gathering1846
1844 Baker in Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 i. 32 The land..is ploughed as the work proceeds by what is termed back~striking.
back-string n.
Brit. /ˈbakstrɪŋ/
, /ˈbakstrɪŋ/U.S. /ˈbækˌstrɪŋ/
a string at the back, e.g. at the back of a child's pinafore./ˈbækˌstrɪŋ/ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > parts of clothing > [noun] > fastenings > other fastenings
crotcheta1685
skewer1771
back-string1785
guard-chain1832
patte1835
tie-up1896
press-button1908
press fastener1922
Liverpool pennant1933
Velcro1960
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 227 Misses, at whose age their mothers wore The backstring, and the bib.
back-sweep n.
Brit. /ˈbakswiːp/
, /ˈbakswiːp/U.S. /ˈbækˌswip/
(see quot.)./ˈbækˌswip/ΚΠ
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. Explan. Terms 120 The top-timber sweep, or back sweep, is that which forms the hollow of the top-timber.
back-swimmer n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌswɪmə/
, /ˈbakˌswɪmə/U.S. /ˈbækˌswɪmər/
one that swims on his or her back; the hemipterous insect Notonecta which swims on the surface of pools./ˈbækˌswɪmər/ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by locomotion > [noun] > that swims > on the back
back-swimmer1862
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > subclass Pterygota > [noun] > division Exopterygota or Hemimetabola > order Hemiptera > suborder Heteroptera > family Notonectidae > member of
Notonecta1658
boatfly1681
water boatman1815
boatman1841
back-swimmer1862
notonectid1908
1862 Athenæum No. 1830. 660 The backswimmer..has..the faculty of entangling air in the hairs of its body.
Categories »
back-tack n.
Brit. /ˈbaktak/
, /ˈbaktak/U.S. /ˈbækˌtæk/
, /ˈbækˌtæk/Scottish English /ˈbaktak/
Scots Law a kind of deed by which the mortgagee of land gives a lease of it to the mortgagor on condition of payment of rent till redeemed (Buchanan)./ˈbaktak/ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun]
clothesc888
hattersOE
shroudc1000
weedOE
shrouda1122
clothc1175
hatteringa1200
atourc1220
back-clout?c1225
habit?c1225
clothingc1275
cleadinga1300
dubbinga1300
shroudinga1300
attirec1300
coverturec1300
suitc1325
apparel1330
buskingc1330
farec1330
harness1340
tire1340
backs1341
geara1350
apparelmentc1374
attiringa1375
vesturec1385
heelinga1387
vestmentc1386
arraya1400
graitha1400
livery1399
tirementa1400
warnementa1400
arrayment1400
parelc1400
werlec1400
raiment?a1425
robinga1450
rayc1450
implements1454
willokc1460
habiliment1470
emparelc1475
atourement1481
indumenta1513
reparel1521
wearing gear1542
revesture1548
claesc1550
case1559
attirement1566
furniture1566
investuring1566
apparelling1567
dud1567
hilback1573
wear1576
dress1586
enfolding1586
caparison1589
plight1590
address1592
ward-ware1598
garnish1600
investments1600
ditement1603
dressing1603
waith1603
thing1605
vestry1606
garb1608
outwall1608
accoutrementa1610
wearing apparel1617
coutrement1621
vestament1632
vestiment1637
equipage1645
cask1646
aguise1647
back-timbera1656
investiture1660
rigging1664
drapery1686
vest1694
plumage1707
bussingc1712
hull1718
paraphernalia1736
togs1779
body clothing1802
slough1808
toggery1812
traps1813
garniture1827
body-clothes1828
garmenture1832
costume1838
fig1839
outfit1840
vestiture1841
outer womana1845
outward man1846
vestiary1846
rag1855
drag1870
clo'1874
parapherna1876
clobber1879
threads1926
mocker1939
schmatte1959
vine1959
kit1989
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 159 Excesse in diet and clothes, in belly-cheer, and back-timber.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] > backward course
back-trade1640
1640 Lawefulnesse Exp. into Eng. 4 He hath followed the back trade of our defection..The Lord therefore is still on the back trade.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > movements or steps > [noun] > step > other steps
reprise1521
double1531
reprinse1531
single1531
hop1579
cross-pointa1592
trip1601
back-tricka1616
inturna1627
shorta1652
coupee1673
cut1676
fleuret1677
bourrée step or pas de bourrée1706
contretemps1706
cross-step1728
boring1775
pigeon wing1807
pas de basque1818
cross-cut1842
flicflac1852
buckle-covering1859
reverse1888
reversing1892
cross-stepping1893
box step1914
jump turn1924
moonwalk1969
coupé-
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. iii. 118 I haue the backe-tricke, simply as strong as any man in Illyria. View more context for this quotation
back-winter n.
Brit. /ˈbakˌwɪntə/
, /ˈbakˌwɪntə/U.S. /ˈbækˌwɪn(t)ər/
a return of winter after its regular time./ˈbækˌwɪn(t)ər/ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > year > season > [noun] > winter
midwinterOE
wintertideOE
winterOE
wintertimea1398
hiemsc1450
snow-time1535
dead of winter1548
after-winter1593
back-winter1599
snow1778
ice queen1818
old-fashioned winter1829
1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 13 This and euery towne hath his backewinters or frostes that nippe it in the blade.
1651 N. Bacon Contin. Hist. Disc. Govt. xl. 300 Yet like a dead calm in a hot spring, treasured up in store sad distempers against a back Winter.
1881 W. D. Howells Let. 27 Feb. in Amer. Notes & Queries (1963) 133/1 What the Canadians call the back-winter: the two months of mud and snow that precede the spring.
back-word n.
Brit. /ˈbakwəːd/
, /ˈbakwəːd/U.S. /ˈbækˌwərd/
in Lancashire withdrawal from a promise or from an accepted invitation, also dialect a contradiction, rude answer./ˈbækˌwərd/ΚΠ
1841 R. W. Hamilton Nugæ Lit. 357 ‘In consequence of her death, I was obliged to give a party who were to have dined with me backword;’ that is, put them off.
1937 J. B. Priestley I have been here Before i. 6 We ought to..charge 'em a deposit when they book rooms in advance, and then if they do give backword we're not clean out o' pocket.
back-worm n.
Brit. /ˈbakwəːm/
, /ˈbakwəːm/U.S. /ˈbækˌwərm/
a disease incident to hawks./ˈbækˌwərm/ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of birds > [noun] > disorders of hawks
crampc1430
frouncea1450
teena1450
crayc1450
ryec1450
aggresteyne1486
agrum1486
fallera1486
filanders1486
gall1575
pantas1575
pin1575
pin gout1575
stroke1575
apoplexy1614
crock1614
formica1614
privy evil1614
back-worma1682
verol1688
croak1707
a1682 Sir T. Browne Certain Misc. Tracts (1683) v. 115 That obstinate Disease of the Filander or Back-worm.
back-wort n. /ˈbækˌwɔrt/ Herbalism old name for the Comfrey ( Symphytum officinale).
Brit. /ˈbakwəːt/
, /ˈbakwəːt/U.S. /ˈbækˌwərt/
, /ˈbækˌwərt//ˈbækˌwɔrt/ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > [noun] > comfrey
gallocc1000
comfreyc1265
consolida1480
wallwort1561
consound1578
ass-ear1585
blackwort1597
knit-back1597
back-wort1598
knit-wort1611
boneset1653
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Consolida maggiore, the herbe Comfrie, Knit-backe or backwoort.
Draft additions June 2016
back bacon n. /ˈbak ˌbeɪk(ə)n/, /ˈbæk ˌbeɪkən/ (a) British cured meat cut from across the loin (or back) and belly of a pig, typically served in thin rashers; (b) Canadian lean cured meat from the loin of a pig, typically smoked and served in thick, round slices; = Canadian bacon n. (b) at Canadian n. and adj. Compounds 3.
Brit. /ˌbak ˈbeɪk(ə)n/
, /ˌbak ˈbeɪk(ə)n//ˈbak ˌbeɪk(ə)n/U.S. /ˌbæk ˈbeɪkən/
, /ˌbæk ˈbeɪkən//ˈbæk ˌbeɪkən/ΚΠ
1877 Bury & Norwich Post 30 Jan. 8/2 I had lost three or four stone of pork, consisting of a breast, a hand, and four or five pieces of back bacon.
1888 Mid-Surrey Times 28 Apr. 1/4 (advt.) Best back bacon. 6½ per lb.
1924 Lethbridge (Alberta) Daily Herald 27 Mar. 9/2 The fat goes to lard. Then there's the back bacon to take care of. We Albertans don't fancy that to any great extent, so it is harder to sell and brings a lesser price.
1937 Times 31 May 20/4 It is a section of the loin muscles which makes the most imposing part of a rasher of ‘back’ bacon.
1995 Independent 18 Feb. 33/2 Grilled back bacon is suggested as an accompaniment, but I would advocate streaky, and grilled until crisp.
2005 Toronto Star 19 Jan. f3/1 Canadian cuisine means more than maple syrup and back bacon.
Draft additions September 2013
backbore n.
Brit. /ˈbakbɔː/
, /ˈbakbɔː/U.S. /ˈbækˌbɔr/
Music (in brass instruments) the interior section of the mouthpiece following the throat that leads into the main tube of the instrument./ˈbækˌbɔr/ΚΠ
1938 Educ. Music Mag. Jan. 12/3 The rim, cup, throat and backbore of a mouthpiece are all important.
1983 New Oxf. Compan. Music I. 259/1 The stem externally tapers, away from the cup, to fit into the reverse-tapered socket of the instrument. Internally (the ‘backbore’) the stem tapers towards the cup.
2011 J. Wallace & A. McGrattan Trumpet ii. 51 The contour of the backbore affects the playing quality of the instrument.
Draft additions September 2013
back four n.
Brit. /ˌbak ˈfɔː/
, /ˌbak ˈfɔː/U.S. /ˌbæk ˈfɔr/
Association Football the group of defenders in a formation employing four such players behind the midfield, typically two centre-backs and two full-backs./ˌbæk ˈfɔr/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > association football > [noun] > player > types of
marksman1927
marker1928
stopper1934
full back1958
sweeper1964
back four1966
libero1967
clogger1970
anchorman1974
target man1975
shadow1976
anchor1984
1966 Financial Times 11 July 14/3 England use a 4-3-3 system with skill and effort in the front three and the same in the middle three because they cover the area of the field between the back four and the front three.
1973 Question & Answer Bk. Football 20/3 With the withdrawal to the rear of one of the wing-halves, the back four as we know it was created.
2011 T. Mulqueen & M. Woitalla Compl. Soccer Goalkeeper iii. 38 Functional training should consist of exercises involving the back four and the midfield players.
Draft additions September 2013
back green n.
Brit. /ˌbak ˈɡriːn/
, /ˌbak ˈɡriːn/U.S. /ˌbæk ˈɡrin/
, /ˌbæk ˈɡrin/Scottish English /ˌbak ˈɡrin/
Scottish a rear garden or yard; (in later use esp.) the communal open space at the rear of a tenement building./ˌbak ˈɡrin/ΚΠ
1799 Acct. Proceedings (Soc. Propagating Gospel at Home) 28 Came to Dingwall. Preached in a back-green to between 400 and 500 people.
1832 Chambers' Edinb. Jrnl. 18 Mar. 49/2 There are various things about a house..which appear to the wife as each the most cardinal of all cardinal points. One of these, for instance, is a back-green.
1913 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 31 May 1185/2 At each end of the building there is a fire-escape iron stair which leads to the back green.
2010 Scotsman (Nexis) 3 Mar. 25 Holyrood's public petitions committee heard descriptions of green slime dripping off close walls, rats roaming back greens and infestations of cockroaches and bedbugs.
Draft additions September 2013
back issue n. /ˈbak ˌɪs(j)uː/,
Brit. /ˈbak ˌɪʃ(j)uː/
, /ˈbak ˌɪʃ(j)uː//ˈbak ˌɪs(j)uː/U.S. /ˈbæk ˌɪʃ(j)u/
(frequently in plural) a previously published issue of a newspaper or periodical; cf. back number n./ˈbæk ˌɪʃ(j)u/ΘΚΠ
society > communication > journalism > journal > periodical > [noun] > back number
back number1812
back issue1853
1853 Nonconformist 19 Oct. (advt.) The work is published in weekly numbers, price 1d... The back issues can always be obtained.
1934 Boys' Life Dec. 3/4 We've been receiving more and more letters asking how to get copies of back issues.
2010 W. Schelly Founders of Comic Fandom 33 Miller knew of no one else who collected comic books, nor of any source for back issues.
Draft additions September 2013
back matter n.
Brit. /ˈbak ˌmatə/
, /ˈbak ˌmatə/U.S. /ˈbæk ˌmædər/
†(a) Printing a newspaper page set in type but held in reserve (obsolete); (b) the supplementary material which follows the main text in a book, such as the index, bibliography, appendices, etc.; cf. front matter n. at front n. Compounds 2./ˈbæk ˌmædər/ΚΠ
1841 W. Savage Dict. Art of Printing 534 The compositors in the news department have the privilege of composing a considerable quantity of extra or ‘back’ matter to enable the printer to have at all times a resource in case of accident.
1946 Catal. Copyright Entries: Pt. 1, Group 2 (Libr. of Congr. Copyright Office) 392/1 New matter: front and back matter.
1954 Amer. Speech 29 137 Such abbreviations were transferred in the second edition..from the main vocabulary to an Abbreviations section in the back matter.
2004 Isis 95 121/2 The only back matter is a series of short bibliographical essays on each chapter.
Draft additions September 2013
back nine n. /ˈbak ˌnʌɪn/, /ˈbæk ˌnaɪn/ Golf the final nine holes on an eighteen-hole course; the second half of an eighteen-hole round.
Brit. /ˌbak ˈnʌɪn/
, /ˌbak ˈnʌɪn//ˈbak ˌnʌɪn/U.S. /ˌbæk ˈnaɪn/
, /ˌbæk ˈnaɪn//ˈbæk ˌnaɪn/ΚΠ
1922 San Antonio (Texas) Evening News 9 Nov. 11/1 Tom Lally..held the old course with a 67, but that was before the ‘back nine’ had been changed.
1965 Irish Times 28 Apr. 3/4 Kinsella..failed to qualify because his back nine was inferior to that of the eight other players.
2004 S. Shmanske Golfonomics xiii. 287 A spectacular flub somewhere on the back nine may stand out foremost in the golfer's memory.
Draft additions September 2013
back pass n. /ˈbak pas/,
Brit. /ˈbak pɑːs/
, /ˈbak pɑːs//ˈbak pas/U.S. /ˈbæk ˌpæs/
Association Football a pass made by a player back to his or her team's goalkeeper; cf. passback n. 2./ˈbæk ˌpæs/ΚΠ
1935 Manch. Guardian 20 Nov. 4/5 A misjudged back pass to his goalkeeper by Scriven allowed the Hospital to reduce their arrears.
1976 Derbyshire Times 3 Sept. (Peak ed.) 27/1 A poor back-pass from Atkin almost presented Hollett with an early chance.
2011 C. A. Lisi Hist. World Cup (new ed.) vi. 226 Burruchaga intercepted a sloppy back pass by Kuznetsov..and deposited it into the net for the 2-0 victory.
Draft additions September 2013
back passage n.
Brit. /ˌbak ˈpasɪdʒ/
, /ˌbak ˈpasɪdʒ/U.S. /ˌbæk ˈpæsɪdʒ/
chiefly British the rectum.Sometimes euphemistic, but also used in non-technical medical contexts./ˌbæk ˈpæsɪdʒ/ΚΠ
1855 G. S. Bedford Clin. Lect. Dis. Women & Children xvii. 297 She complains of a distressing pressure on her back passage.
1960 J. R. Ackerley We think World of You 125 That trouble 'e 'as with 'is back passage, Mum says the doctors say now..it's a growth.
2012 Sunday Tel. (Nexis) 9 Sept. (Life section) 21 Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the back passage.
Draft additions September 2013
back rub n.
Brit. /ˈbak rʌb/
, /ˈbak rʌb/U.S. /ˈbæk ˌrəb/
a rub or massage of the back./ˈbæk ˌrəb/ΚΠ
1911 Windsor Mag. May 814/2 The best example of pure gratitude is a dog wagging his tail after receiving a bone or a pat or a back-rub.
1924 Amer. Jrnl. Nursing 24 804/1 A bath, a back rub, and the general care necessary to make a patient comfortable.
2009 Guardian (Nexis) 31 Oct. (Guide Suppl.) 16 Guys in their early 20s are falling over themselves to give you back rubs and foot massages.
Draft additions September 2013
backsplit adj. and n.
Brit. /ˈbaksplɪt/
, /ˈbaksplɪt/U.S. /ˈbækˌsplɪt/
, /ˈbækˌsplɪt/Canadian English /ˈbækˌsplɪt/
Canadian (a) adj. designating a split-level house which has its highest level at the rear; (b) n. a house of this type./ˈbækˌsplɪt/ΚΠ
1967 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 19 Aug. 20/1 (advt.) A most attractive back split design which could be built on a flat 50 foot lot.
1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 3 Feb. 41/4 (advt.) This spacious exciting back split affords ample accommodation.
1986 Winnipeg Free Press 29 Nov. 51/5 We live in a backsplit home heated by a forced air furnace.
2002 D. B. Mason Men with Brooms i. i. 9 He owned a five-bedroom backsplit.
Draft additions September 2013
back-translation n. /ˈbaktranzˌleɪʃn/, /ˈbaktrɑːnsˌleɪʃn/, /ˈbaktransˌleɪʃn/, /ˈbæktræn(t)sˌleɪʃən/ the process of reconverting a translated text back into its original language; a translation so produced.
Brit. /ˈbaktrɑːnzˌleɪʃn/
, /ˈbaktrɑːnzˌleɪʃn//ˈbaktranzˌleɪʃn//ˈbaktrɑːnsˌleɪʃn//ˈbaktransˌleɪʃn/U.S. /ˈbæktrænzˌleɪʃən/
, /ˈbæktrænzˌleɪʃən//ˈbæktræn(t)sˌleɪʃən/ΚΠ
1842 C. Le Vert Gen. & Pract. Syst. teaching & learning Langs. ii. 152 The pupil will of course find this back translation very difficult at first.
1895 Pall Mall Gaz. 10 May 2/3 The prisoner is furnished with the depositions in English, and there is back-translation to be done for him.
1962 Listener 5 Apr. 617/3 The text [was] written in English... Mrs Delius made a German translation... Subsequent English back-translations have been stiff and misleading.
2003 W. B. Gudykunst Cross-cultural & Intercultural Communication viii. 154/1 The most widely used method to establish linguistic equivalence is back-translation.
Draft additions March 2004
back catalogue n. /ˌbak ˈkatl̩ɒɡ/, /ˈbak ˌkatəlɒɡ/, /ˈbak ˌkatl̩ɒɡ/, /ˈbæk ˈˌkædlˌɑɡ/ (a list of) all the works previously produced and still owned by a publisher, record company, film company, etc.; (also) the previous or complete works of a particular (esp. musical) artist, etc.
Brit. /ˌbak ˈkatəlɒɡ/
, /ˌbak ˈkatəlɒɡ//ˌbak ˈkatl̩ɒɡ//ˈbak ˌkatəlɒɡ//ˈbak ˌkatl̩ɒɡ/U.S. /ˈbæk ˈˌkædlˌɔɡ/
, /ˈbæk ˈˌkædlˌɔɡ//ˈbæk ˈˌkædlˌɑɡ/ΚΠ
1934 N.Y. Times 10 Feb. 13/6 The Edward B. Marks Music Corporation, with its back catalogue of hits, collected on 250 uses of its songs in the movies.
1944 Times 9 June 10/2 A firm..such as ours, with a magnificent back catalogue.., has unique advantages to offer to its authors.
1989 Dirty Linen Spring 6/3 The Battlefield Band's back catalog has been released on CD by Temple Records.
1997 Sight & Sound Jan. 42/4 You can forgive Disney for milking its own back catalogue—Roger's computer game is based on the original One Hundred and One Dalmatians cartoon.
Draft additions March 2004
back story n.
Brit. /ˈbak ˌstɔːri/
, /ˈbak ˌstɔːri/U.S. /ˈbæk ˌstɔri/
a history or background story; spec. one created for a fictional character or situation, esp. in a film or television series./ˈbæk ˌstɔri/ΚΠ
1982 Associated Press Newswire (Nexis) 26 Mar. They had been compiling characters and back stories for a prospective serial for several years.
1995 G. Fuller in M. Leigh Naked & Other Sceenplays p. xxiv In each case, the back story we've created becomes part of the texture of the film.
2002 Time 1 Apr. 63/2 In addition to the case's back story..the defense provided other fireworks for the media circus in attendance.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online September 2022).
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comb. form?c1225- hypothetico-deductive
- hypothetico-deductively
- hypothetico-disjunctive
- hypotheticodeductive
- hypotheticodeductively
- hypotheticodisjunctive
- hypothetise
- hypothetised
- hypothetises
- hypothetising
- hypothetist
- hypothetize
- hypothetized
- hypothetizer
- hypothetizes
- hypothetizing
- hypothyroid
- hypothyroidder
- hypothyroiddest
- hypothyroider
- hypothyroidest
- hypothyroidic
- hypothyroidism
- hypothyroidisms
- hypotonia