Definitions for backbæk

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

back^*bæk(n.)

the rear part of the human body, from the neck to the end of the spine.
Category: Anatomy, Zoology
the part of the body of animals corresponding to the human back.
Category: Anatomy
the rear portion of any part of the body:
the back of the head.
the part opposite to or farthest from the front; rear:
the back of a hall.
the part that forms the rear of any object or structure.
the part covering the back:
the back of a jacket.
the spine or backbone:
The fall broke his back.
any rear part of an object serving to support, protect, etc.:
the back of a chair.
the side of an object that is less functional, less often seen, etc.:
the back of an envelope.
the whole body, with reference to clothing:
the clothes on one's back.
ability for labor; effort; endurance:
to put one's back to a task.
the edge of a book formed where its sections are bound together.
Category: Printing
(in various sports, as football) a player stationed to the rear of front-line play. the position so occupied.
Category: Sport
(v.t.)to support, as with authority, influence, help, or money:
to back a candidate.
to bet on:
to back a horse in the race.
to cause to move backward (often fol. by up):
to back a car into a garage.
to furnish with a back:
to back a book.
to lie at the back of; form a back or background for.
to provide with an accompaniment:
a singer backed by piano and bass.
to get upon the back of; mount.
to write or print on the back of; endorse; countersign.
(v.i.)to go or move backward (often fol. by up).
(of wind) to change direction counterclockwise
Category: Nautical
Ref: (opposed to veer ).
back away, to retreat; withdraw.
Category: Verb Phrase
back down, to abandon an argument or position.
Category: Verb Phrase
back off, to move back from something; retreat. to back down.
Category: Verb Phrase
back out, to fail to keep an engagement or promise; withdraw.
Category: Verb Phrase
back up, to move or cause to move backward. to reinforce. to support or confirm. to bring (a stream of traffic) to a standstill. to accumulate or become clogged due to a stoppage. to copy (a computer file or program) as a precaution against failure.
Category: Verb Phrase, Computers
(adj.)situated at or in the rear:
the back door.
far away or removed from the front or main area, position, or rank; remote:
back streets.
of or belonging to the past:
back issues of a magazine.
in arrears; overdue:
back pay.
coming or going back; moving backward:
back current.
(of a speech sound) articulated with the tongue in the back part of the mouth, as either of the sounds of
go.
Category: Phonetics

Idioms for back:

back and fill, to trim the sails of a boat so that the wind strikes them first on the forward and then on the after side. to change one's opinion or position; vacillate.
Category: Nautical, Idiom, Navy
be (flat) on one's back, to be ill, helpless, or overcome by circumstances.
Category: Idiom
behind one's back, without one's knowledge, esp. treacherously or secretly.
Category: Idiom
break the back of, to conquer the most difficult or resistant part of:
to break the back of urban crime.
Category: Idiom
get one's back up, to become annoyed; take offense.
Category: Idiom, Informal
have one's back to the wall, to be in a difficult or hopeless situation.
Category: Idiom
(in) back of, at the rear of; behind.
Category: Idiom
on someone's back,Informal. nagging or criticizing someone.
Category: Idiom

^* Syn: back , hind , posterior , rear refer to something situated behind something else. back means the opposite of front: a back window. hind , and the more formal word posterior , refer to the rearmost of two or more, often similar objects: hind wings; posterior lobe. rear is used of buildings, conveyances, etc., and in military language it is the opposite of fore: the rear end of a truck; rear echelon.Usage: Although some object to their use, the phrases in back of and the shorter - and much older - back of with the meaning “behind” are fully established as standard in American English: They played(in)back of the house. Both phrases occur in all types of speech and writing, though behind may be easily substituted if desired.

Origin of back:

bef. 1000; ME bak, OE bæc back of the body, c. OFris bek, OS, ON bak; perh. < IE *bhogo- bending; cf. bacon

back′less(adj.)

backbæk(adv.)

at, to, or toward the rear; backward:
to step back.
in or toward the past:
to look back on one's youth.
at or toward the original starting point, place, or condition:
to go back to one's home town; to put a coat back on.
in direct payment or return:
to pay back a loan; to answer back.
in a state of restraint or retention:
to hold back tears; to hold back salary.
in a reclining position:
to lean back; to lie back.
go back on, to fail to keep; renege on: to be faithless to; betray.
to go back on a promise.
Category: Verb Phrase

Idioms for back:

back and forth, backward and forward; to and fro. from side to side. from one to the other.
Category: Idiom

Origin of back:

1480–90; aph. form of aback

Princeton's WordNet

back, dorsum(noun)
the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
"his back was nicely tanned"
rear, back(noun)
the side that goes last or is not normally seen
"he wrote the date on the back of the photograph"
back, rear(noun)
the part of something that is furthest from the normal viewer
"he stood at the back of the stage"; "it was hidden in the rear of the store"
back(noun)
(football) a person who plays in the backfield
spinal column, vertebral column, spine, backbone, back, rachis(noun)
the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
"the fall broke his back"
binding, book binding, cover, back(noun)
the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book
"the book had a leather binding"
back(noun)
the part of a garment that covers the back of your body
"they pinned a `kick me' sign on his back"
back, backrest(noun)
a support that you can lean against while sitting
"the back of the dental chair was adjustable"
back(adj)
(American football) the position of a player on a football team who is stationed behind the line of scrimmage
back(a)(adj)
related to or located at the back
"the back yard"; "the back entrance"
back(a), hind(a), hinder(a)(adj)
located at or near the back of an animal
"back (or hind) legs"; "the hinder part of a carcass"
back(a)(verb)
of an earlier date
"back issues of the magazine"
back, endorse, indorse, plump for, plunk for, support(verb)
be behind; approve of
"He plumped for the Labor Party"; "I backed Kennedy in 1960"
back(verb)
travel backward
"back into the driveway"; "The car backed up and hit the tree"
second, back, endorse, indorse(verb)
give support or one's approval to
"I'll second that motion"; "I can't back this plan"; "endorse a new project"
back(verb)
cause to travel backward
"back the car into the parking spot"
back(verb)
support financial backing for
"back this enterprise"
back(verb)
be in back of
"My garage backs their yard"
bet on, back, gage, stake, game, punt(verb)
place a bet on
"Which horse are you backing?"; "I'm betting on the new horse"
back(verb)
shift to a counterclockwise direction
"the wind backed"
back, back up(verb)
establish as valid or genuine
"Can you back up your claims?"
back(adverb)
strengthen by providing with a back or backing
back(adverb)
in or to or toward a former location
"she went back to her parents' house"
back, backward, backwards, rearward, rearwards(adverb)
at or to or toward the back or rear
"he moved back"; "tripped when he stepped backward"; "she looked rearward out the window of the car"
back(adverb)
in or to or toward an original condition
"he went back to sleep"
back, backward(adverb)
in or to or toward a past time
"set the clocks back an hour"; "never look back"; "lovers of the past looking fondly backward"
back(adverb)
in reply
"he wrote back three days later"
back(adverb)
in repayment or retaliation
"we paid back everything we had borrowed"; "he hit me and I hit him back"; "I was kept in after school for talking back to the teacher"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

back(adverb)æk
toward the rear or away from
to step back from the edge; to sit/lie back
backæk
indicates a return to a previous state or position
Put it back where it belongs.; She nursed him back to good health.; When will you be back home?
backæk
in a reply
Write back soon.; Call me back tomorrow.
backæk
in or into the past
back in 1964; thinking back to his childhood
back(noun)æk
the part of the body between the neck and buttocks
to lie on your back
backæk
the part away from the front
in the back of the room; on the back of the book; This last piece fits in the back.
backæk
at the rear of a house
a beautiful yard out back
backæk
behind
boxes sitting in back of the door
backæk
to be in a situation that is difficult to get out of
We had our backs to the wall early in the negotiations.
backæk
bothering you slightly when you think of it
In the back of my mind, I knew something was missing.
backæk
constantly reminding or criticizing sb
My manager is always on my back.
backæk
when sb is not there to hear
I know you talk about me when my back is turned.
back(adjective)æk
away from the front
the back pockets of his jeans; in the back row of seats
backæk
from earlier
back pay
back(verb)æk
to give support to
Many celebrities are backing the project.
backæk
to move backward
to back the car out of the driveway; He backed slowly away from the dog.
backæk
to bet money on
to back the winning horse

Wiktionary

back(Noun)
The rear of body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.
Could you please scratch my back?
back(Noun)
The spine and associated tissues.
I hurt my back lifting that dictionary.
back(Noun)
The side of any object which is opposite the front or useful side.
Turn the book over and look at the back.
back(Noun)
The reverse side; the side that is not normally seen.
I hung the clothes on the back of the door.
back(Noun)
That which is farthest away from the front.
He sat in the back of the room.
back(Noun)
Area behind, such as the backyard of a house
We'll meet out in the back of the library.
back(Noun)
The part of something that goes last.
The car was near the back of the train.
back(Noun)
The side of a blade opposite the side used for cutting.
Tap it with the back of your knife.
back(Noun)
The part of a piece of clothing which covers the back.
I still need to finish the back of your dress.
back(Verb)
To go in the reverse direction.
The train backed into the station.
back(Verb)
To support.
I back you all the way.
back(Verb)
to change direction contrary to its normal pattern (anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere, clockwise in the southern)
back(Verb)
to brace the yards so that the wind presses on the front of the sail, to slow the ship
back(Verb)
to lay out a second, smaller anchor to provide additional holding power
back(Noun)
The edge of a book which is bound.
The titles are printed on the backs of the books.
back(Noun)
The backrest, the part of a piece of furniture which receives the human back.
Can you fix the back of this chair?
back(Noun)
Upper part of a natural object which is considered to resemble an animal's back.
The small boat raced over the backs of the waves.
back(Noun)
That part of the body that bears clothing.
back(Noun)
In some team sports, a position behind most players on the team.
The backs were lined up in an I formation.
back(Noun)
The keel and keelson of a ship.
The ship's back broke in the pounding surf.
back(Noun)
The inside margin of a page.
back(Noun)
The roof of a horizontal underground passage.
back(Noun)
Effort, usually physical.
Put some back into it!
back(Noun)
Large and attractive buttocks.
back(Noun)
A non-alcoholic drink (often water or a soft drink), to go with hard liquor or a cocktail.
back(Adverb)
To or in a previous condition or place.
back(Adverb)
Away from the front or from an edge.
back(Adverb)
In a manner that impedes.
Fear held him back.
back(Adverb)
In a reciprocal manner.
If you hurt me, I'll hurt you back.
back(Adjective)
Near the rear.
Go in the back door of the house.
back(Adjective)
Not current.
Iu2019d like to find a back issue of that magazine.
back(Adjective)
Far from the main area.
They took a back road.
back(Adjective)
Produced in the back of the mouth.
"U" in "rude" is a back vowel.

Origin: bak, from bæc, from bakan (cf. Old Saxon bak (Middle Low German bak), West Frisian beklingling 'chair back', Old High German bah, Swedish bak), possibly from bʰogo 'bending'. The adverb represents an aphetic form of aback.

Webster Dictionary

Back(noun)
a large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc
Back(noun)
a ferryboat. See Bac, 1
Back(noun)
in human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish, or lobster
Back(noun)
an extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge
Back(noun)
the outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back of a hand rail
Back(noun)
the part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a chimney
Back(noun)
the part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village
Back(noun)
the part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw
Back(noun)
a support or resource in reserve
Back(noun)
the keel and keelson of a ship
Back(noun)
the upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage
Back(noun)
a garment for the back; hence, clothing
Back(adj)
being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the back door; back settlements
Back(adj)
being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent
Back(adj)
moving or operating backward; as, back action
Back(verb)
to get upon the back of; to mount
Back(verb)
to place or seat upon the back
Back(verb)
to drive or force backward; to cause to retreat or recede; as, to back oxen
Back(verb)
to make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back books
Back(verb)
to adjoin behind; to be at the back of
Back(verb)
to write upon the back of; as, to back a letter; to indorse; as, to back a note or legal document
Back(verb)
to support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid or influence; as, to back a friend
Back(verb)
to bet on the success of; -- as, to back a race horse
Back(verb)
to move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back
Back(verb)
to change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; -- used of the wind
Back(verb)
to stand still behind another dog which has pointed; -- said of a dog
Back(adverb)
in, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step back
Back(adverb)
to the place from which one came; to the place or person from which something is taken or derived; as, to go back for something left behind; to go back to one's native place; to put a book back after reading it
Back(adverb)
to a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to private life; to go back to barbarism
Back(adverb)
(Of time) In times past; ago
Back(adverb)
away from contact; by reverse movement
Back(adverb)
in concealment or reserve; in one's own possession; as, to keep back the truth; to keep back part of the money due to another
Back(adverb)
in a state of restraint or hindrance
Back(adverb)
in return, repayment, or requital
Back(adverb)
in withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking; as, he took back0 the offensive words
Back(adverb)
in arrear; as, to be back in one's rent

The Roycroft Dictionary

back
1. That part of the body to which your friend directs his remarks when he tells you the truth. 2. A smooth surface composed of skin and bones which stretches between Land's End and John O'Groat's.