In the manner of a bachelor; (as though) living alone as a single man.
backarrow
backarrows
backblow
backdown
backdown
noun
An act of backing down; a retraction or withdrawal.
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
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.
backjaw
backsaw
backsaw
noun
A handsaw that has a reinforcement along its back edge.
backsaws
backsaws
noun
plural of backsaw
backswept
backswept
adj
Swept back.
backswimmer
backswimmer
noun
Any of various aquatic insects, of the family Notonectidae, that swim on their backs.
backswing
backswing
noun
(sports) The preparatory stroke preceding that which produces contact with the target. Normally associated with sports using an implement such as a bat, club, racket or stick.
verb
To swing backward.
backsword
backsword
noun
(UK, dated) A stick with a basket handle, used in rustic amusements.
(UK, dated) The game in which the stick is used.
A sword with one sharp edge.
backswording
backswording
noun
Sport or exercise using a backsword or singlestick.
backswordman
backswordman
noun
(historical) One who fights with a backsword or singlestick.
backswordmen
backswordmen
noun
plural of backswordman
backswordsman
backwall
backwall
noun
(sports) Alternative form of back wall
backward
backward
adj
(chess) Of a pawn, further behind than pawns of the same colour on adjacent files and unable to be moved forward safely.
(cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.
(cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.
(figuratively) Acting or moving oppositely to the desired direction of progress.
(figuratively) Of a culture, country, practice etc., undeveloped or unsophisticated.
(figuratively) Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning.
(obsolete) Already past or gone; bygone.
(obsolete) Unwilling; averse; reluctant.
Acting or moving in the direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing.
Acting or moving in the direction opposite to the usual direction of movement.
Lacking progressive or enlightened thought; outdated.
Late or behindhand.
Reluctant or unable to advance or act.
Reversed in order or sequence.
Situated toward or at the rear of something.
adv
(figuratively) Oppositely to the desired direction of progress, or from a better to a worse state.
(obsolete) In the past.
At, near or towards the rear of something.
By way of reflection; reflexively.
In a direction opposite to the usual direction of movement.
In a reversed order or sequence.
In a reversed orientation; back to front.
Toward or into the past;
noun
The state behind or past.
backwardation
backwardation
noun
(obsolete) In the London Stock Exchange: a fee paid by a seller on settlement day either to the buyer or to a third party who lends stock, when the seller wishes to defer settlement until the next settlement day.
In full normal backwardation: the situation in a futures market where the price for future delivery of a commodity (the forward price) is lower than the price for immediate delivery (the spot price) or nearer delivery, generally arising from a near-term shortage of the commodity.
The situation in a stock market where the offer price for stock is lower than the bid price.
backwardly
backwardly
adv
In a backward direction.
backwardness
backwardness
noun
Reluctance.
The state of being backward.
backwardnesses
backwardnesses
noun
plural of backwardness
backwards
backwards
adj
Synonym of backward; see usage notes there.
backwash
backwash
noun
(economics) The situation where economic growth in one area harms other areas by attracting people and business away from those areas.
(nautical) The backward flow of water from oars or propeller or breaking waves.
The result or consequence of an event; an aftermath.
The saliva, spit or food particles that have flowed back into a drink after someone has drunk from it.
The similar flow of air from an aircraft engine.
verb
(transitive) To affect with backwash.
To clean the oil from wool after combing.
To operate a water filter in the reverse direction in order to clean it.
backwashed
backwashed
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backwash
backwasher
backwasher
noun
(textiles) A machine used for washing wool after carding to remove the impurities.
backwashes
backwashes
noun
plural of backwash
backwashing
backwashing
noun
A form of water treatment in which water is pumped backwards through the filter media, sometimes with intermittent use of compressed air.
backwater
backwater
noun
(idiomatic) A remote place; somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc.
(paper industry) Water used in the papermaking process. Recycled to reduce usage of fresh water, and usually containing residual amounts of chemicals and fibres.
A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water
The water held back by a dam or other obstruction
verb
(idiomatic) To vacillate on a long-held position.
To row or paddle a backwater stroke.
backwatered
backwatered
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backwater
backwaters
backwaters
noun
plural of backwater
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backwater
backway
backway
noun
A back alley.
backwind
backwind
noun
(nautical) The flow of air so deflected
verb
(nautical) To deflect air into the back of a sail or of a vessel
(transitive) To wind backwards.
backwinded
backwinding
backwinding
verb
present participle of backwind
backwood
backwood
adj
Native to or located in a remote rural location.
Rustic, unsophisticated, countrified.
backwoods
backwoods
adj
Pertaining to the backwoods.
Rough, uncouth, coarse, or crude in social matters.
noun
A remote or sparsely inhabited region, especially in North America; away from big towns and from the influence of modern life.
Partly or wholly uncleared forest, especially in North America.
backwoodser
backwoodsiness
backwoodsiness
noun
The quality of being backwoodsy.
backwoodsman
backwoodsman
noun
(informal, UK politics) A Peer who is seldom present in the House of Lords of the United Kingdom Parliament, who may be encouraged to attend when a very important vote is expected.
A person who is acclimated to living in a forest area that is far removed from civilization or modern conveniences.
An uncivilized person.
backwoodsmen
backwoodsmen
noun
plural of backwoodsman
backwoodsy
backwoodsy
adj
(US) Typical of something or someone from the backwoods
backword
backword
noun
A contention, retort, or reply.
A contradiction or answer to put off an engagement; a countermand.
A section of commentary at the end of a book.
backworm
backworm
noun
(obsolete) The thread-like worm found in filanders, the disease of hawks.
backwort
backwrap
backwrap
noun
(computing, dated) A word wrap feature that restores a word to the preceding line when space is made for it by deletion.
A portion of something that is wrapped backward.
verb
(computing, dated) To restore a word to the preceding line when space is made for it by deletion.
To wrap around the back of something.
backwraps
backwraps
noun
plural of backwrap
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backwrap
baconweed
baconweed
noun
Synonym of pigweed (“the plant Chenopodium album”)
bailiffwick
bailiffwick
noun
Obsolete form of bailiwick.
bailiwick
bailiwick
noun
A person's concern or sphere of operations, their area of skill or authority.
The district within which a bailie or bailiff has jurisdiction.
bailiwicks
bailiwicks
noun
plural of bailiwick
balancewise
balancewise
adv
In terms of balance.
baldcrown
baldricwise
baldricwise
adv
In the manner of a baldric.
ballywack
ballywrack
baroswitch
baroswitch
noun
Any form of switch that is activated barometrically (by a change in pressure)
barrowcoat
barwick
batchtown
bawarchi
bawarchi
noun
(India, historical) A cook.
bawcock
bawcock
noun
(archaic) A fine fellow.
bawcocks
bawcocks
noun
plural of bawcock
bawdric
bawdrick
bawdrics
bawdrics
noun
plural of bawdric
bcwp
bcws
beachward
beachward
Adverb
Towards a beach.
beachwear
beachwear
noun
Clothing suitable for wearing on the beach, though not necessarily for swimming in.
beachwood
beaconwise
beaconwise
adv
Like a beacon; in the manner of a beacon.
beckwith
beckwith
Proper noun
of origin.
beclaw
beclaw
verb
(transitive) To scratch or tear all over with claws or nails.
beclown
beclown
verb
(transitive) To make a fool of.
beclowned
beclowned
verb
simple past tense and past participle of beclown
beclowning
beclowning
verb
present participle of beclown
beclowns
beclowns
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of beclown
becobweb
becoward
becowarded
becowarding
becowards
becrawl
becrawl
verb
(transitive, intransitive) To crawl about; crawl all over.
becrawled
becrawled
verb
simple past tense and past participle of becrawl
becrawling
becrawling
verb
present participle of becrawl
becrawls
becrawls
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of becrawl
becrowd
becrowd
verb
(dated) To crowd.
becrowded
becrowded
verb
simple past tense and past participle of becrowd
becrowding
becrowding
verb
present participle of becrowd
becrowds
becrowds
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of becrowd
becrown
becrown
verb
(transitive) To place a crown upon; crown.
bedscrew
beechwood
beechwood
noun
A wood largely populated with beech trees.
The wood of beech trees (Fagus spp.).
beechwoods
beechwoods
noun
plural of beechwood
belchertown
belowdecks
belowdecks
adv
(nautical) Below the main deck of a ship.
benchfellow
benchwarmer
benchwarmer
noun
Alternative spelling of bench-warmer
benchwarmers
benchwarmers
noun
plural of benchwarmer
benchwork
benchwork
noun
the structure supporting a model railway layout
work performed at a workbench
berewick
berewick
noun
(now historical) An outlying estate.
berwick
berwick
Proper noun
Any of various towns, including:
a town in Maine, USA.
berwickshire
berwickshire
Proper noun
A lieutenancy area and historic county in the Scottish Borders.
bescrawl
bescrawl
verb
(transitive) To cover (something) with scrawls; to scribble over.
beswitch
bethwack
bethwack
verb
(transitive) To pelt, thrash, or cudgel soundly.
bewelcome
bewelcome
verb
(transitive, intensive) To welcome; greet or bestow with a welcome; welcome fully or completely.
bewick
bewitch
bewitch
verb
(transitive) To astonish, amaze.
(transitive) To cast a spell upon.
(transitive) To fascinate or charm.
bewitched
bewitched
adj
(Of a person) entranced, charmed, fascinated, as though subject to a magical influence.
Under a spell; subject to an act of witchcraft.
verb
simple past tense and past participle of bewitch
bewitchedness
bewitchedness
noun
The state or quality of being bewitched.
bewitcher
bewitcher
noun
One who bewitches; an enchanter.
bewitcheries
bewitcheries
noun
plural of bewitchery
bewitchery
bewitchery
noun
The power of bewitching or fascinating; charm.
bewitches
bewitches
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of bewitch
bewitchful
bewitchful
adj
Bewitching; alluring; fascinating; amazing.
bewitching
bewitching
adj
Enchanting.
noun
The act by which somebody is bewitched; a curse or enchantment.
bewitchingly
bewitchingly
adv
In a bewitching manner
bewitchingness
bewitchingness
noun
The state or quality of being bewitching.
bewitchment
bewitchment
noun
The characteristic of being bewitched.
bewitchments
bewitchments
noun
plural of bewitchment
bewreck
bewreck
verb
(transitive, dialectal) To wreck completely; ruin; destroy.
birchwood
birchwood
noun
(countable) A wood largely populated with birch trees (Betula spp.).
(uncountable) The wood from a birch tree.
birdwatch
birdwatch
noun
A session of observing and identifying birds.
verb
(intransitive) To take part in birdwatching; to observe and identify birds.
birdwatched
birdwatched
verb
simple past tense and past participle of birdwatch
birdwatches
birdwatches
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of birdwatch
birdwatching
birdwatching
noun
(slang) The hobby of watching rocket launches.
Observing or identifying wild birds in their natural environment.
blackfellow
blackfellow
noun
(Australia, now usually considered offensive) A (male) Australian Aborigine.
blackfellows
blackfellows
noun
plural of blackfellow
blackhawk
blackware
blackware
noun
Any pottery of a black or nearly black colour.
blackwash
blackwash
noun
(chiefly politics) A villainization campaign.
(medicine) A lotion made by mixing calomel and limewater.
(slang, New Zealand) A whitewash victory for any New Zealand national sporting team.
(slang, cricket) A whitewash victory for the West Indies cricket team. Started in the 1984–86 "Blackwash" series of the West Indian cricket team in England in 1984.
(slang, mining) Public campaigns and advertising funded by the coal industry to draw attention away from environmentally unsustainable practices or to justify exclusion from carbon taxes.
verb
(transitive) To blacken, to cover with a black color.
(transitive) To portray in a revisionist fashion as belonging to a black race of people.
(transitive) To villainize, to present in a damaging light.
blackwasher
blackwasher
noun
One who blackwashes.
blackwashing
blackwashing
noun
(derogatory) The revisionist portrayal of something as belonging to a black race of people.
(derogatory) The revisionist portrayal of something as evil.
The application of a coating of blackwash.
verb
present participle of blackwash
blackwater
blackwater
noun
Blackwater fever; malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
Waste from domestic toilets; water containing fecal matter.
Water containing loam, tannins, etc., giving it a very dark appearance.
blackwaters
blackwaters
noun
plural of blackwater
blackweed
blackweed
noun
Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia.)
blackwell
blackwood
blackwood
noun
(uncountable) The very dark wood of such trees.
African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon), of Africa
Australian blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon), of eastern Australia
Bombay blackwood (Dalbergia latifolia), of India
Haematoxylum campechianum, a tree from Mexico.
blackwork
blackwork
noun
(obsolete) Work connected with funerals, as an undertaker's assistant or a maker of mourning clothes, etc.
(sewing) A form of counted-thread embroidery that is usually stitched on even-weave fabric with a twisted thread.
blackwort
bladderwrack
bladderwrack
noun
Fucus vesiculosus, a seaweed in which iodine was first discovered.
bleachworks
bleachworks
noun
A factory that manufactures bleach.
blockwood
blowback
blowback
noun
(computing) Synonym of backscatter.
(firearms) A type of action where the pressure from the fired cartridge blows a sliding mechanism backward to extract the fired cartridge, chamber another cartridge, and cock the hammer.
(rail transport) On a steam locomotive, the reversal of exhaust gases when the regulator is closed without using the blower.
(slang) The act of shotgunning (inhaling from a pipe etc. and exhaling into another smoker's mouth).
An unintended adverse result, especially of covert political action.
blowbacks
blowbacks
noun
plural of blowback
blowcase
blowcock
blowtorch
blowtorch
noun
(US, military, slang) A jet fighter.
A tool which projects a controlled stream of a highly flammable gas over a spark in order to produce a controlled flame.