Part 488

They are arrant knaves, and will backbite. Shak.

Back"bit`er (&?;), n. One who backbites; a secret calumniator or detractor.

Back"bit`ing (&?;), n. Secret slander; detraction.

Backbiting, and bearing of false witness. Piers Plowman.

Back"board` (&?;), n. [2d back, n. + board.]

1. A board which supports the back when one is sitting;

specifically, the board athwart the after part of a boat.

2. A board serving as the back part of anything, as of a wagon.

3. A thin stuff used for the backs of framed pictures, mirrors, etc.

4. A board attached to the rim of a water wheel to prevent the water from running off the floats or paddles into the interior of the wheel. W. Nicholson.

5. A board worn across the back to give erectness to the figure. Thackeray.

Back"bond` (-bnd`), n. [Back, adv. + bond.] (Scots Law) An instrument which, in conjunction with another making an absolute disposition, constitutes a trust.

Back"bone" (-bn`), n. [2d back, n. + bone.]

1. The column of bones in the back which sustains and gives firmness to the frame; the spine; the vertebral or spinal column.

2. Anything like, or serving the purpose of, a backbone.

The lofty mountains on the north side compose the granitic axis, or backbone of the country. Darwin.

We have now come to the backbone of our subject. Earle.

3. Firmness; moral principle; steadfastness.

Shelley's thought never had any backbone. Shairp.

To the backbone, through and through; thoroughly; entirely. "Staunch to the backbone." Lord Lytton.

Back"boned" (&?;), a. Vertebrate.

Back"cast` (-kst`), n. [Back, adv. + cast.] Anything which brings misfortune upon one, or causes failure in an effort or enterprise; a reverse. [Scot.]

Back" door" (&?;). A door in the back part of a building; hence, an indirect way. Atterbury.

Back"door", a. Acting from behind and in concealment; backstairs; as, backdoor intrigues.

Back"down` (&?;), n. A receding or giving up; a complete surrender. [Colloq.]

Backed (bkt), a. Having a back; fitted with a back; as, a backed electrotype or stereotype plate. Used in composition; as, broad-backed; hump-backed.

Back"er (bk"r), n. One who, or that which, backs; especially one who backs a person or thing in a contest.

Back"fall` (-fl`), n. [2d back, n. + fall.] A fall or throw on the back in wrestling.