(uncommon, usually in the plural) Other members of the genus Abelmoschus, such as okra.
The edible and aromatic seed pods (properly, capsules) of the Abelmoschus moschatus.
The tropical evergreen shrub Abelmoschus moschatus itself.
abelmusk
abelmusk
noun
(obsolete) Alternative form of abelmosk in its various senses.
abeokuta
abeokuta
Proper noun
A city in southwest Nigeria.
abhiseka
abhiseka
noun
Alternative spelling of abhisheka
abkhasia
abkhazia
abourezk
abricock
abricock
noun
(obsolete) apricot
absaraka
absaroka
absaroka
Proper noun
A Siouan people from between the Platte and the Yellowstone Rivers; the Crow.
Noun
A member of this people.
airbrick
airbrick
noun
Alternative spelling of air brick
akalimba
akalimba
noun
An African thumb piano.
akemboll
akenbold
akerboom
alumbank
ambedkar
antibank
antibank
adj
Opposing banks (financial institutions).
arabesks
arabesks
noun
plural of arabesk
arbuckle
awabakal
awabakal
Noun
A people indigenous to New South Wales, Australia.
Proper noun
The language spoken by these people.
awakable
awakable
adj
Able to be awoken.
azoblack
baaskaap
baaskaap
noun
Alternative form of baasskap
babakoto
babakoto
noun
A kind of large lemur, the indri (Indri indri).
babelike
babelike
adj
Resembling or characteristic of a babe or infant.
babushka
babushka
noun
(By association) A stereotypical, Eastern European peasant grandmother-type figure.
A traditional floral headscarf worn by an Eastern European woman, tied under the chin.
An old woman, especially one of Eastern European descent.
Russian doll, matryoshka
babylike
babylike
adj
Resembling or characteristic of a baby.
backache
backache
noun
Any pain or ache in the back.
backachy
backband
backband
noun
A band that passes over the back of a horse and holds up the shafts of a carriage.
backbear
backbeat
backbeat
noun
(music) The sharp accent on the second and fourth beats of rock music in 4/4 time.
backbend
backbend
noun
(gymnastics, dance) A move in which the performer bends backwards until the hands touch the floor or catches him/herself with the hands.
verb
To perform such a move.
backbite
backbite
noun
One who engages in backbiting; a backbiter.
verb
(informal) To attack from behind or when out of earshot with spiteful or defamatory remarks.
To make spiteful slanderous or defamatory statements about someone.
To speak badly of an absent individual.
backblow
backbone
backbone
noun
(figuratively) Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.
(figuratively) Courage, fortitude, or strength.
The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
backcast
backcast
adj
(UK dialectal) Retrospective.
adv
(UK dialectal, of time) Long ago; in the past.
noun
(UK dialectal) Misfortune; reverse; reversal; a relapse in health or illness; moral backsliding.
(UK dialectal) Retrospect; hindsight.
(UK dialectal) backwater
(figuratively) Any discouragement or cause of relapse or failure.
A backward stroke, or a stroke driving one back.
A cast or throw back.
verb
(UK dialectal) To change retrospectively; reverse.
To identify the actions required in order to reach a proposed future.
backchat
backchat
noun
(Britain) Cheeky or impertinent responses, especially to criticism.
verb
To respond in a disputative, often sarcastic manner.
backcomb
backcomb
noun
(dated) A decorative comb worn as an ornament and to secure a hairstyle.
The hairstyle produced by backcombing.
verb
To hold hair and comb it towards the head, thus giving it a bushier look.
backdate
backdate
noun
An assigned date that is earlier than the current or true date.
verb
To give or assign a date to a document that is earlier than the current or true date.
backdoor
backdoor
noun
Alternative spelling of back door, which can be used attributively.
verb
Alternative spelling of back door
backdown
backdown
noun
An act of backing down; a retraction or withdrawal.
backdrop
backdrop
noun
(figurative) Any background situation.
A decorated cloth hung at the back of a stage.
An image that serves as a visual background.
The setting or background of an acted performance.
verb
(transitive) To serve as a backdrop for.
backened
backfall
backfall
noun
(music) A lever in the coupler of an organ.
(wrestling) A fall or throw on the back.
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.
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.
backflap
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).
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.
backfold
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.
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
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.
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.
backhoes
backhoes
noun
plural of backhoe
backings
backings
noun
plural of backing
backland
backland
noun
Land that lies behind or beyond some primary settlement or development.
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.
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
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.
backlogs
backlogs
noun
plural of backlog
backmost
backmost
adj
farthest back
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.
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.
backrope
backrush
backrush
noun
A rushing backward; a retreat.
backsaws
backsaws
noun
plural of backsaw
backseat
backseat
noun
Alternative spelling of back seat
backsets
backsets
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backset
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.
backsite
backslap
backslap
verb
To enthusiastically affirm or congratulate a person, especially by patting them on the back.
backslid
backslid
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backslide
backspin
backspin
noun
(music) Synonym of spinback
Spin applied to a ball in order to slow it, change its flight, or stop it when it lands.
verb
(music) To play a section of a record in reverse, as a disc jockey; to apply spinback.
(transitive) To spin (a ball) with this motion.
backstab
backstab
verb
(transitive) to attack someone (especially verbally) unfairly in a deceitful, underhand, or treacherous manner, especially when they're not present in the place or situation that it happens. (as if stabbing them in the back). See backbite.
backstay
backstay
noun
(nautical) A part of the rigging of a sailing ship extending from masthead the top of the mast to the back of the ship; they support the strain on all upper masts and provide additional support to the shrouds when the wind is abaft the beam.
A strengthening or supporting piece that is built into the back of something.
backster
backster
noun
(obsolete) A baker.
backstop
backstop
noun
(baseball) A wall or fence behind home plate.
(baseball, slang) A catcher; the position of catcher.
(cricket, dated) The longstop.
(cricket, dated) The wicket-keeper.
(espionage) Something serving to bolster or support a cover story etc.
(rounders) The player who stands immediately behind the striking base.
A default arrangement that holds if all else fails.
A thing or a person put in the rear or in the back of something to reinforce, hold, support.
verb
(transitive) To bolster, support.
(transitive) To serve as backstop for.
backtack
backtalk
backtalk
noun
(US) Verbal impudence or argumentative discourse, given in response.
verb
(transitive) To respond to in an aggressively disputatious, often sarcastic or insolent manner.
backveld
backveld
noun
(southern Africa) Backward and unsophisticated rural areas.
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.
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.
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.
backwood
backwood
adj
Native to or located in a remote rural location.
Rustic, unsophisticated, countrified.
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.
backyard
backyard
noun
(Australia, Canada, New Zealand, US) A yard to the rear of a house or similar residence.
(Australia, Canada, New Zealand, US, colloquial) A person's neighborhood, or an area nearby to a person's usual residence or place of work and where the person is likely to go.
(Australia, Canada, New Zealand, US, colloquial) An area nearby to a country or other jurisdiction's legal boundaries, particularly an area in which the country feels it has an interest.
baedeker
baedeker
Proper noun
A long-established series of travel guidebooks.
Noun
Any travel guide, advice for travelers, or guide pertaining to other subjects.
bagmaker
bagmaker
noun
A manufacturer of bags.
bagtikan
baidarka
baidarka
noun
Alternative form of bidarka
baikonur
baikonur
Proper noun
A city in Kazakhstan, rented and administered by Russia, constructed to service Baikonur Cosmodrome, since 1995 also called Baikonur.
bakehead
bakehead
noun
(rail transport, informal) A fireman (person who keeps the fire going underneath a steam boiler on a railroad locomotive).
bakelite
bakelite
noun
Alternative form of Bakelite
bakelize
bakelize
verb
(transitive) To coat with Bakelite.
bakemeat
bakemeat
noun
(obsolete) Any baked product (such as a pie)
bakeoven
bakerdom
bakerdom
noun
The realm or sphere of bakers; the world of baking.
bakeress
bakeress
noun
(dated) A female baker.
bakeries
bakeries
noun
plural of bakery
bakerite
bakerite
noun
(mineralogy) A monoclinic-prismatic mineral containing boron, calcium, hydrogen, oxygen, and silicon.
bakerman
bakerton
bakeshop
bakeshop
noun
A shop where baked goods are made and sold.
bakeware
bakeware
noun
Cooking equipment intended for use inside an oven.
bakewell
bakewell
noun
Alternative form of Bakewell
bakingly
bakingly
adv
So as to bake.
baklavas
baklavas
noun
plural of baklava
baklawas
baklawas
noun
plural of baklawa
bakshish
bakupari
bakupari
noun
Alternative form of bacupari
baldakin
baldrick
baldrick
noun
Alternative form of baldric
balkanic
balkanic
Adjective
Of or relating to the Balkan peninsula.
balkhash
balkiest
balkiest
adj
superlative form of balky: most balky
balkline
balkline
noun
baulk line
ballhawk
ballhawk
noun
(baseball, chiefly in Chicago) A person who specializes in catching home-run and foul balls.
(sports) A player who handles the ball skilfully
ballocks
ballocks
noun
Alternative form of bollocks
ballpark
ballpark
adj
Approximate; close; on the right order of magnitude.
noun
(US) A field, stadium or park where ball, especially baseball, is played.
(US, figuratively) The general vicinity; somewhere close; a broad approximation.
verb
(transitive) To make a rough estimate of.
balmlike
balmlike
adj
Resembling or characteristic of a balm; soothing, healing.
bamileke
banakite
banakite
noun
(geology) A form of trachyandesite
bandhook
bandikai
bandwork
bandwork
noun
(art) Decorative work resembling interlaced bands.
bangkoks
bangkoks
noun
plural of bangkok
bankable
bankable
adj
Acceptable to a bank.
Certain to bring profit and success, especially in the entertainment industry.
Reliable.
bankbook
bankbook
noun
(transferred sense) wealth
passbook, chequebook
bankcard
bankcard
noun
A card that a bank issues used by the cardholder in the course of authorization to receive bank services.
bankfull
bankfull
adj
(of a river, etc) Risen to a height just sufficient to spill over its banks into the floodplain.
bankhead
bankings
bankings
noun
plural of banking
banknote
banknote
noun
(now historical) A promissory note issued by a bank, payable at a given time to a specific beneficiary.
A piece of paper currency.
bankroll
bankroll
noun
A roll of banknotes or other paper currency, carried in lieu of a wallet.
The monetary assets of a person or organization.
verb
(transitive) To fund a project; to underwrite something.
bankrupt
bankrupt
adj
(finance) In a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay one's debts.
Destitute of, or wholly lacking (something once possessed, or something one should possess).
Having been legally declared insolvent.
noun
(UK, law, obsolete) A trader who secretes himself, or does certain other acts tending to defraud his creditors.
One who becomes unable to pay his or her debts; an insolvent person.
verb
(transitive) To force into bankruptcy.
banksian
banksian
Adjective
Of or pertaining to Joseph Banks, English botanist and naturalist.
Of or pertaining to Iain Banks (born 1954) or his writings, most notably a utopian style of science fiction.
banksias
banksias
noun
plural of banksia
bankside
bankside
noun
The land by a riverbank.
banksman
banksman
noun
(UK, civil engineering) The person who directs the operation of a crane or larger vehicle from the point near where loads are attached and detached.