Part 489

Back"friend` (&?;), n. [Back, n. or adv. + friend.] A secret enemy. [Obs.] South.

Back"gam`mon (&?;), n. [Origin unknown; perhaps fr. Dan. bakke tray + E. game; or very likely the first part is from E. back, adv., and the game is so called because the men are often set back.] A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a "board" marked off into twenty-four spaces called "points". Each player has fifteen pieces, or "men", the movements of which from point to point are determined by throwing dice. Formerly called tables.

Backgammon board , a board for playing backgammon, often made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together, each tray containing two "tables".

Back"gam`mon, v. t. In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before the loser is clear of his first "table".

Back"ground` (&?;), n. [Back, a. + ground.]

1. Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.

2. (Paint.) The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.

The distance in a picture is usually divided into foreground, middle distance, and background. Fairholt.

3. Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a background of red hangings.

4. A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.

I fancy there was a background of grinding and waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly finished . . . performance. Mrs. Alexander.

A husband somewhere in the background. Thackeray.

To place in the background, to make of little consequence.

Back"hand` (&?;), n. [Back, adv. + hand.] A kind of handwriting in which the downward slope of the letters is from left to right.

Back"hand`, a. 1. Sloping from left to right; -- said of handwriting.

2. Backhanded; indirect; oblique. [R.]

Back"hand`ed, a. 1. With the hand turned backward; as, a backhanded blow.

2. Indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic; as, a backhanded compliment.

3. Turned back, or inclining to the left; as, backhanded letters.

Back"hand`ed*ness, n. State of being backhanded; the using of backhanded or indirect methods.

Back"hand`er (&?;), n. A backhanded blow.

Back"house` (&?;), n. [Back, a. + house.] A building behind the main building. Specifically: A privy; a necessary.

Back"ing, n. 1. The act of moving backward, or of putting or moving anything backward.

2. That which is behind, and forms the back of, anything, usually giving strength or stability.

3. Support or aid given to a person or cause.

4. (Bookbinding) The preparation of the back of a book with glue, etc., before putting on the cover.

Back"joint` (&?;), n. [Back, a. or adv. + joint.] (Arch.) A rebate or chase in masonry left to receive a permanent slab or other filling.

Back"lash` (-lsh`), n. [Back, adv. + lash.] (Mech.) The distance through which one part of connected machinery, as a wheel, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, resulting from looseness in fitting or from wear; also, the jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion.