| back formation |
in linguistics, a word that appears to be the base of, but was actually formed from, another word, as "trivia" from "trivial". |
| backgammon |
a board game in which each of two opponents throws dice and tries to move several pieces clockwise around and eventually off the board. |
| background |
a part located in the rear, esp. as depicted in a painting, photograph, or scene. (Cf. foreground.) [5 definitions] |
| backhand |
a forward movement made with the back of the hand outward, as in a slap or a stroke with a tennis racket. [5 definitions] |
| backhanded |
in the manner of a backhand. [3 definitions] |
| backhoe |
an excavating vehicle with a large metal bucket that is drawn toward the vehicle in a digging motion. |
| backing |
help or support, esp. financial support. [3 definitions] |
| backlash |
an abrupt and sometimes violent motion or movement backward. [3 definitions] |
| backlist |
a publisher's list of all in-house books that have been kept in print for a relatively long period of time. [2 definitions] |
| backlit |
illuminated from behind. |
| backlog |
a quantity, as of work or objects, that has accumulated. [3 definitions] |
| back number |
any previous issue of a periodical. |
| back order |
part of an order that will be filled at a later date. |
| back-order |
to submit an order for (something) to be filled at a later time, as when (it) is available. |
| back out of |
to withdraw from prematurely. [2 definitions] |
| backpack |
a pack used to carry objects, esp. camping gear, on one's back; knapsack. [3 definitions] |
| back-pedal |
to press backward on the pedals of a bicycle or tricycle in order to brake. [3 definitions] |
| backrest |
something against which one can rest one's back. |
| back road |
(often pl.) a country road or local road that avoids traffic as well as high speed travel. |
| backscatter |
the deflection, by electromagnetic or nuclear forces, of moving waves or particles away from their original direction at angles greater than ninety degrees. |
| backscattering |
backscatter. |