A backcloth is a large piece of cloth, often with scenery or buildings painted on it, that is hung at the back of a stage while a play is being performed.
[British]regional note: in AM, use backdrop
2. singular noun
The backclothof an event is the general situation in which it happens.
[British, journalism, literary]
...the promise of tax cuts against the backcloth of a public-spending deficit. [+ of]
backcloth in British English
(ˈbækˌklɒθ)
noun
a large painted curtain hanging at the back of a stage set
Also called: backdrop
backcloth in American English
(ˈbækˌklɔθ)
noun
Chiefly British
backdrop
Examples of 'backcloth' in a sentence
backcloth
She shouted desperately, but her voice was lost against the backcloth of night and the ravine.
Hilton, John Buxton PASSION IN THE PEAK
It was a frank imitation of Oberammergau, with the back of the stage open to a living backcloth of green hills.
Hilton, John Buxton PASSION IN THE PEAK
It was some weeks now since they had had any respite from shellfire against this dismal backcloth.