One who, or that which, backs; especially one who backs an entrant in a contest, or who supports an enterprise by funding it.
backers
backers
noun
plural of backer
backet
backet
noun
(Scotland) A shallow wooden trough for carrying ashes, coals, etc.
backfall
backfall
noun
(music) A lever in the coupler of an organ.
(wrestling) A fall or throw on the back.
backfatter
backfatter
noun
A pig yielding significant backfat.
backfield
backfield
noun
(American football) The area behind the line of scrimmage occupied before the snap by the team on offense.
(baseball, rare) Synonym of outfield.
(soccer, US) The area behind either the offensive or defensive line.
The players occupying this area.
backfields
backfields
noun
plural of backfield
backfill
backfill
noun
(US) Reserve support personnel.
(US) That which backfills; a replacement.
(literature) Material in a story set earlier in the past, providing history or context for the current action.
The material that has been used to refill an excavation.
verb
(US) To provide reserve support.
(US) To replenish or restock due to attrition or loss.
(archaeology) To refill an excavation unit to restore the former ground surface and/or to preserve the unit and make it recognizable as having been excavated.
(gaming) To enter an online game that's already in progress, replacing a player who left early.
To refill a hole with the material dug out of it.
backfilled
backfilled
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backfill
backfiller
backfiller
noun
A machine for refilling an excavation.
backfilling
backfilling
noun
The process by which something is backfilled.
verb
present participle of backfill
backfills
backfills
noun
plural of backfill
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backfill
backfire
backfire
noun
(firefighting) Alternative spelling of back fire
A premature explosion in the cylinder of a gas or oil engine during the exhaust or the compression stroke, tending to drive the piston in the wrong direction.
An explosion in other equipment.
An explosion in the exhaust passages of an internal combustion engine.
verb
(of a gun, cannon, Bunsen burner, etc.) To fire in the opposite direction, for example due to an obstruction in the barrel.
(of an engine) To experience a premature ignition of fuel or an ignition of exhaust gases, making a popping sound.
To fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune.
backfired
backfired
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backfire
backfires
backfires
noun
plural of backfire
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backfire
backfiring
backfiring
noun
A failure that leads to further misfortune.
The occurrence of a backfire.
verb
present participle of backfire
backfitting
backfitting
verb
present participle of backfit
backflap
backflash
backflash
noun
Synonym of flashback (“dramatic device”)
The hazardous situation where the flame propagates backward down the hose of an oxyfuel welding and cutting system.
backflip
backflip
noun
(by extension) a total reversal in policy or opinion; a volte-face, a U-turn.
(gymnastics) An act of rotating one's body 360 degrees in the backward direction.
verb
To completely reverse a policy or opinion; perform a U-turn.
To perform a backflip (rotation of body).
backflipped
backflipped
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backflip
backflipping
backflipping
verb
present participle of backflip
backflow
backflow
noun
The flow of a fluid (through a pipe etc.) in a direction opposite to that which is normal or intended.
verb
To flow in the wrong or backward direction.
backflowing
backflowing
adj
flowing backwards
verb
present participle of backflow
backfold
backframe
backfriend
backfriend
noun
(UK, dialectal) A friend at one's back; a backer; one who does his best for another; a supporter.
(UK, dialectal) A hangnail.
(UK, dialectal, obsolete) A false friend; a secret enemy.
backfurrow
backfurrow
noun
(agriculture) The line of piled soil thrown up beside a furrow when it is created by a plow
verb
(agriculture) To throw or turn the soil in alternating directions for every other row that is plowed, so that every pair of furrows has a single backfurrow with clear areas on the outside.
backgame
backgame
noun
(backgammon) A game in which a player blocks the opponent's progress by forming two or more points in the opponent's home board.
An indirect strategy in which one attempts to achieve one's goals by maneuvering behind the scenes.
backgammon
backgammon
noun
A board game for two players in which each has 15 stones which move between 24 triangular points according to the roll of a pair of dice; the object is to move all of one's pieces around, and bear them off the board.
{{lb|en|backgammon}} A victory in the game when the loser has not borne off a stone, and still has one or more stones in the winner's inner home row or on the bar.
verb
To win at a backgammon game with the opponent having one or more pieces in the winner’s inner home row or on the bar.
backgammons
backgammons
noun
plural of backgammon
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backgammon
backgeared
background
background
adj
Less important or less noticeable in a scene or system.
noun
(computing) A type of activity on a computer that is not normally visible to the user.
(computing) The image or color over which a computer's desktop items are shown (e.g. icons or application windows).
(physics) Clipping of background radiation.
A less important feature of scenery (as opposed to foreground).
A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.
Information relevant to the current situation about past events; history.
One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.
verb
(journalism) To gather and provide background information (on).
To put in a position that is not prominent.
simple past tense and past participle of backgrind
backgrounded
backgrounded
adj
(computing) (of a task) Made non-interactive
Moved to the background
verb
simple past tense and past participle of background
backgrounder
backgrounder
noun
(chiefly US) A briefing or document typically provided prior to a meeting or other event that gives basic details on subjects that are likely to be mentioned.
A cattle farmer or rancher who runs a backgrounding operation.
A person employed to draw backgrounds for a comic or cartoon.
backgrounds
backgrounds
noun
plural of background
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of background
backhand
backhand
adj
(ice hockey) Of a play that uses the back side of the hockey stick
(of handwriting) Slanting to the left.
(of strokes or throws) In the backhand style
noun
(Ultimate Frisbee) the standard throw; a throw during which the disc begins on the off-hand side and travels across the chest to be released from the opposite side.
(surfing) the hand towards the back of the board.
(tennis) a stroke made across the chest from the off-hand side to the racquet hand side; a stroke during which the back of the hand faces the shot.
Handwriting that leans to the left
The reverse side of the human hand.
verb
to execute a backhand stroke or throw
to slap with the back of one's hand
backhanded
backhanded
adj
(of writing) inclining to the left
Backwards, turned around.
Indirect.
Insincere, sarcastic, ironic, or self-contradictory.
Involving a backward flip of the hand.
Retrospective, occurring after the fact rather than in advance.
Self-serving, corrupt, slipshod, or neglectful.
With the back of the hand.
adv
In a backhanded manner.
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backhand
backhandedly
backhandedness
backhandedness
noun
(of writing) Leftward slant.
Backwardness of direction.
Deceit or neglect.
Indirection.
Insincerity, irony, or sarcasm.
The use of a backward flip of the hand.
backhander
backhander
noun
(informal) A bribe, a secret payment.
(racquet sports) A player who plays a backhand shot.
(racquet sports) A shot played backhand, a backhand stroke.
(surfing) A surfer who approaches a swell with the wave behind them ("on their backhand") rather than facing the wave ("on their forehand").
A blow with the back of the hand.
A glass of wine given out of turn, the bottle having been handed backwards.
backhanders
backhanders
noun
plural of backhander
backhanding
backhanding
verb
present participle of backhand
backhands
backhands
noun
plural of backhand
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backhand
backhatch
backhaul
backhaul
noun
(broadcasting) Uncut program content that is transmitted point-to-point to an individual television or radio station, network or other receiving entity where it will be integrated into a finished show.
(military) The shipment of material to or through an area from which the material had previously been shipped.
(transport) A return trip after delivery of cargo.
(travel, aviation, fare construction) Travel to a destination via a further point, or a higher fare point, than the destination (higher intermediate point).
verb
To transmit (data or footage) from a remote site to a central site from where it is re-transmitted.
backhauled
backhauled
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backhaul
backhauling
backhauling
verb
present participle of backhaul
backhauls
backhauls
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backhaul
backhaus
backheel
backheel
noun
(soccer) A kick played by the heel which typically travels in the opposite direction from which the player is facing.
(wrestling) A method of tripping or throwing by getting the leg back of the opponent's heel on the outside and pulling forward while pushing his body back.
verb
(soccer) To perform such a kick.
(wrestling) To perform such a trip or throw.
backhoe
backhoe
noun
(chiefly US, Canada, Australia) A multi-purpose tractor with a front-mounted loading bucket and a rear-mounted digging bucket. The tractor combines a front-end loader/loader and an excavator/digger.
A piece of excavating equipment consisting of a digging bucket or scoop on the end of an articulated arm, drawn backwards to move earth. Used in excavator/digger and backhoe tractors.
verb
To excavate using such equipment.
backhoes
backhoes
noun
plural of backhoe
backhooker
backhouse
backhouse
noun
(US, Canada, euphemistic) An outhouse: an outbuilding used as a lavatory.
(now dialect) An outbuilding behind the main building.
backhouses
backhouses
noun
plural of backhouse
backie
backie
noun
(colloquial) A ride on the back of a bicycle or motorbike.
backiebird
backing
backing
adj
(music) Providing support for the main performer.
noun
(music) Musicians and vocalists who support the main performer.
(television, film) A backdrop.
A liner or other material added behind or underneath.
Support, especially financial.
The action of putting something back; a switching into reverse.
The mounting of a horse or other animal.
verb
present participle of back
backings
backings
noun
plural of backing
backjaw
backjoint
backjoint
noun
(architecture) A rebate or chase in masonry left to receive a permanent slab or other filling.
backland
backland
noun
Land that lies behind or beyond some primary settlement or development.
backlands
backlands
noun
plural of backland
backlash
backlash
noun
(figurative) A negative reaction, objection or outcry, especially of a violent or abrupt nature.
(mechanics) The looseness through which one part of connected machinery, as a wheel, gear, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, or a measurement of the distance moved thereby; either intentional (as allowance) or unintentional (from error or wear).
A sudden backward motion.
The jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion.
verb
To cause or set off a backlash.
backlashed
backlashed
adj
Having a backlash.
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backlash
backlasher
backlasher
noun
A participant in a backlash
backlashers
backlashers
noun
plural of backlasher
backlashes
backlashes
noun
plural of backlash
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backlash
backlashing
backlashing
verb
present participle of backlash
backler
backless
backless
adj
(of a person) having an uncovered back, having a back that shows skin
having no back, said of things that typically have backs, such as chairs or dresses
backlet
backliding
backlighted
backlighting
backlighting
noun
The illumination of a photographic subject from the rear, causing edges to glow while other areas remain in shadow.
verb
present participle of backlight
backlings
backlins
backlist
backlist
noun
(publishing) A list of older books available from a publisher, as opposed to the frontlist of more recent titles.
verb
(transitive) To hold back a student's application (to a college etc.) based on whether a preferred candidate declines their offer.
(transitive, publishing) To place (a book) on a backlist.
backlisting
backlisting
verb
present participle of backlist
backlists
backlists
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backlist
backlit
backlit
adj
Lit or illuminated from behind.
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backlight
backloading
backloading
noun
(transport) The transportation of cargo or shipment on a return trip, using the space already paid for and used for the outward leg.
verb
present participle of backload
backlog
backlog
noun
A large log to burn at the back of a fire.
A log containing text previously read, as in text-based video games or chat rooms.
A reserve source or supply.
An accumulation or buildup, especially of unfilled orders, unconsumed products or unfinished work.
verb
(transitive, intransitive) To acquire something as a backlog, or to become a backlog
backlogged
backlogged
adj
Having an excessive list of tasks to do, especially tasks that should have already been performed.
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backlog
backlogging
backlogging
verb
present participle of backlog
backlogs
backlogs
noun
plural of backlog
backlotter
backmost
backmost
adj
farthest back
backoff
backoff
noun
(computing) The situation where an algorithm or process refrains from taking an action it would otherwise have taken.
(surfing) The situation where an incoming wave passes from shallower water to a deeper area, making the wave less steep and potentially unsurfable.
backorder
backorder
noun
An order that cannot be currently filled or shipped, but is requested nonetheless for when the item becomes available again.
verb
To place such an order
backout
backout
noun
(aerospace) A reversed countdown (i.e. ascending numbers) in response to problems leading up to a launch.
A reversal or undoing of tasks previously done (often in reverse order).
backouts
backouts
noun
plural of backout
backpack
backpack
noun
A knapsack, sometimes mounted on a light frame, but always supported by straps, worn on a person’s back for the purpose of carrying things, especially when hiking, or on a student's back when carrying books.
A similarly placed item containing a parachute or other life-support equipment.
verb
(intransitive) To engage in low-cost, generally urban, travel with minimal luggage and frugal accommodation.
(intransitive) To hike and camp overnight in backcountry with one's gear carried in a backpack.
(transitive, rare) To place or carry (an item or items) in a backpack.
backpacked
backpacked
adj
Wearing a backpack.
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backpack
backpacker
backpacker
noun
(music, slang) A fan or performer of backpack rap.
A traveler whose luggage consists of a backpack; especially, such a traveler who uses hostels, public transport, and other inexpensive services.
backpackers
backpackers
noun
A hostel catering to backpackers.
plural of backpacker
backpacking
backpacking
noun
hiking and camping overnight in backcountry with one's gear carried in a backpack.
low-cost, generally urban, travel with minimal luggage and frugal accommodations.
verb
present participle of backpack
backpacks
backpacks
noun
plural of backpack
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backpack
backpedal
backpedal
verb
(intransitive) To pedal backwards on a bicycle.
(intransitive) To step backwards.
(intransitive, idiomatic) To distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.
backpedaled
backpedaled
verb
(US) simple past tense and past participle of backpedal
backpedaling
backpedaling
noun
The act of distancing oneself from a previously supported idea, action, behaviour, etc.; a U-turn or flip-flop.
verb
(US) present participle of backpedal
backpedalled
backpedalled
verb
(British spelling) simple past tense and past participle of backpedal
backpiece
backpiece
noun
A decorated comb that attaches a veil to the back of a bride's head.
A large tattoo on a person's back.
A piece or plate of armour protecting a person's back.
backplane
backplane
noun
(electronics) A circuit board that connects several connectors in parallel to each other, so that each pin of each connector is linked to the same relative pin of all the other connectors, forming a computer bus.
backplanes
backplanes
noun
plural of backplane
backplate
backplate
noun
(UK, automotive) A rigid metal plate inside the brake drum, which supports the wheel cylinder, brake shoes, and other parts of a drum brake.
(underwater diving) A plate harnessed to a diver's back, to which the gas cylinders are attached.
A metal plate on the rear of a computer's casing, used to cover a port or slot.
A plate protecting a fighting person's back.
A wood or metal (or glass, etc) plate that serves as a backing for an object.
Part of a condenser microphone that sits behind the diaphragm and which acts, in conjunction with the diaphragm, as a sort of variable capacitor.
backpointer
backpointers
backrest
backrest
noun
A guide attached to the slide rest of a lathe, and placed in contact with the work to steady it in turning.
The back piece of a chair, used to support the sitter's back.
backrests
backrests
noun
plural of backrest
backrope
backropes
backrun
backrun
noun
A reverse flow, either of a fluid or of an anchor chain.
backrush
backrush
noun
A rushing backward; a retreat.
backrushes
backrushes
noun
plural of backrush
backs
backs
noun
(Cambridge University, with "the") The backyard of the University.
plural of back
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of back
backsaw
backsaw
noun
A handsaw that has a reinforcement along its back edge.
backsaws
backsaws
noun
plural of backsaw
backscatter
backscatter
noun
(computing) The sending of IP packets to essentially random addresses in response to incoming packets that have a spoofed origin.
(military) A portion of the energy of electromagnetic radiation such as a laser or radio waves that is scattered back in the direction of the source of radiation by an obscurant.
(physics) The deflection of particles and/or radiation through angles greater than 90 degrees to the original direction of travel.
The particles and/or radiation deflected in this manner.
verb
To scatter particles and/or radiation back to the direction from which they come.
backscattered
backscattered
verb
past participle of backscatter
backscattering
backscattering
noun
(physics) The scattering of waves, particles, or signals back in the direction of their source.
verb
present participle of backscatter
backscatters
backscatters
noun
plural of backscatter
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backscatter
backscraper
backscratcher
backscratcher
noun
A long slender rod with a rake-like device on one end, sometimes in the form of a human hand, designed to let a person scratch their own back.
backscratching
backscratching
verb
present participle of backscratch
backseat
backseat
noun
Alternative spelling of back seat
backseats
backseats
noun
plural of backseat
backset
backset
noun
A check; a relapse; a discouragement; a setback.
Whatever is thrown back in its course, such as water.
verb
(US, especially Western US) To plow again in the fall; said of prairie land broken up in the spring.
backsets
backsets
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backset
backsetting
backsetting
verb
present participle of backset
backsettler
backsettler
noun
One living in the back or outlying districts of a community.
backsey
backsheesh
backsheesh
noun
Alternative spelling of baksheesh.
backshift
backshift
noun
(grammar) The changing of the tense of a verb from present to past in reported speech.
(statistics) A function on a stochastic process whose value on any random variable is the preceding random variable in the process.
verb
(grammar, transitive) To change the tense of a verb from present to past in reported speech.
backshish
backshish
noun
Alternative spelling of baksheesh
backside
backside
adj
(board sports) Approaching an obstacle backward
noun
(euphemistic) A person's buttocks.
(figuratively) The reverse or opposite of anything.
(obsolete) The back side of a page: a verso.
The back side of an estate: the backyard and outbuildings behind a main house, especially (UK dialect, euphemistic) an outhouse.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see back, side.
backsides
backsides
noun
plural of backside
backsight
backsight
noun
(surveying) A measurement of a previously shot point, used to set the angle to zero when occupying a new position.
(surveying) A measurement or reading taken back towards a point of known elevation, used to calculate the height of the surveying instrument (theodolite, transit, total station).
The rear sight of a firearm.
verb
(surveying) To shoot a backsight.
backsite
backslap
backslap
verb
To enthusiastically affirm or congratulate a person, especially by patting them on the back.
backslapped
backslapped
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backslap
backslapper
backslapper
noun
One who makes a show of liking another person with profuse or excessive displays of camaraderie, such as vigorous hand clasping, back-slapping, hearty words of greeting, etc.
backslappers
backslappers
noun
plural of backslapper
backslapping
backslapping
noun
action of the verb to backslap
verb
present participle of backslap
backslaps
backslaps
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backslap
backslash
backslash
noun
(computing, rare, proscribed) Used erroneously in reference to, or in reading out, the ordinary slash, that is, the punctuation mark /.
The punctuation mark \.
|passage= […] I was trying to find a web-site for which I had been given the following address: http://www.isop.ucla.edu/pacrim/pubs/korjournal.htm. […] I began to work backwards, removing first the last part of the address following the last backslash (/korjournal.htm).}}
verb
(computing, transitive) To escape (a metacharacter) by prepending a backslash that serves as an escape character, thereby forming an escape sequence.
backslashes
backslashes
noun
plural of backslash
backslid
backslid
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backslide
backslidden
backslidden
verb
past participle of backslide
backslide
backslide
noun
(dance) A dance move in which the feet are alternately slid back and the heels lifted, giving the illusion of walking forwards while actually moving backwards.
A backward regression; a reverting back to a worse state.
verb
(Christianity) To revert back into a life of sin after being saved.
To regress; to slip backwards or revert to a previous, worse state.
To shirk responsibility; to renege on one's obligations or commitments.
backslided
backslider
backslider
noun
A recidivist; one who backslides, especially in a religious sense; an apostate.
She married him thinking to change his ways, and for a while he got religion, but he was ever a backslider; she soon began finding bottles stashed about the house.
backsliders
backsliders
noun
plural of backslider
backslides
backslides
noun
plural of backslide
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backslide
backsliding
backsliding
adj
sliding back
noun
An occasion on which one backslides, especially in a moral sense.