Part 847

<h1>Bacillus</h1> <Xpage=110>

<hw>Ba*cil"lus</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Bacilli</plw> <tt>(<?/)</tt>.</plu> <ety>[NL., for L. <i>bacillum</i>. See <er>Bacillarle</er>.]</ety> <fld>(Biol.)</fld> <def>A variety of bacterium; a microscopic, rod-shaped vegetable organism.</def>

<h1>Back</h1> <Xpage=110>

<hw>Back</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>bac</ets>: cf. Arm. <ets>bak</ets> tray, bowl.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc.</def>

<cs><mcol><col>Hop back</col>, <col>Jack back</col></mcol>, <cd>the cistern which receives the infusion of malt and hops from the copper.</cd> -- <col>Wash back</col>, <cd>a vat in which distillers ferment the wort to form wash.</cd> -- <col>Water back</col>, <cd>a cistern to hold a supply of water; esp. a small cistern at the back of a stove, or a group of pipes set in the fire box of a stove or furnace, through which water circulates and is heated.</cd></cs>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A ferryboat. See <er>Bac</er>, 1</def>

<h1>Back</h1> <Xpage=110>

<hw>Back</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[As <ets>b\'91c</ets>, <ets>bac</ets>; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. <ets>bak</ets>, Dan. <ets>bag</ets>; cf. OHG. <ets>bahho</ets> ham, Skr. <ets>bhaj</ets> to turn, OSlav. <ets>b<?/g<?/</ets> flight. Cf. <er>Bacon</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; <as>as, the <ex>back</ex> of a horse, fish, or lobster</as>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge.</def>

<blockquote>[The mountains] their broad bare <b>backs</b> upheave Into the clouds. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; <as>as, the <ex>back</ex> of the hand, the <ex>back</ex> of the foot, the <ex>back</ex> of a hand rail</as>.</def>

<blockquote>Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this, Gave me your hands, the <b>backs</b> and palms to kiss. <i> Donne.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; <as>as, the <ex>back</ex> of a book; the <ex>back</ex> of an army; the <ex>back</ex> of a chimney.</as></def>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; <as>as, the <ex>back</ex> of an island, of a hill, or of a village</as>.</def>

<p><b>6.</b> <def>The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; <as>as, the <ex>back</ex> of a knife, or of a saw</as>.</def>

<p><b>7.</b> <def>A support or resource in reserve.</def>

<blockquote>This project Should have a <b>back</b> or second, that might hold, If this should blast in proof. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>8.</b> <fld>(Naut.)</fld> <def>The keel and keelson of a ship.</def>

<p><b>9.</b> <fld>(Mining)</fld> <def>The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage.</def>

<p><b>10.</b> <def>A garment for the back; hence, clothing.</def>

<blockquote>A <b>bak</b> to walken inne by daylight. <i>Chaucer.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>Behind one's back</col>, <cd>when one is absent; without one's knowledge; <as>as, to ridicule a person <ex>behind his back</ex></as></cd>. -- <mcol><col>Full back</col>, <col>Half back</col>, <col>Quarter back</col></mcol> (<fld>Football</fld>), <cd>players stationed behind those in the front line</cd>. -- <col>To be or lie on one's back</col>, <cd>to be helpless</cd>. -- <mcol><col>To put</col>, <col>or get</col>, <col>one's back up</col></mcol>, <cd>to assume an attitude of obstinate resistance (from the action of a cat when attacked.)</cd>. <mark>[Colloq.]</mark> -- <col>To see the back of</col>, <cd>to get rid of</cd>. -- <col>To turn the back</col>, <cd>to go away; to flee</cd>. -- <col>To turn the back on one</col>, <cd>to forsake or neglect him.</cd></cs>

<h1>Back</h1> <Xpage=110>

<hw>Back</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; <as>as, the <ex>back</ex> door; <ex>back</ex> settlements.</as></def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Being in arrear; overdue; <as>as, <ex>back</ex> rent</as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Moving or operating backward; <as>as, <ex>back</ex> action</as>.</def>

<cs><col>Back charges</col>, <cd>charges brought forward after an account has been made up.</cd> -- <col>Back filling</col> <fld>(Arch.)</fld>, <cd>the mass of materials used in filling up the space between two walls, or between the inner and outer faces of a wall, or upon the haunches of an arch or vault.</cd> -- <col>Back pressure</col>. <fld>(Steam Engine)</fld> <cd>See under <er>Pressure</er>.</cd> -- <col>Back rest</col>, <cd>a guide attached to the slide rest of a lathe, and placed in contact with the work, to steady it in turning.</cd> -- <col>Back slang</col>, <cd>a kind of slang in which every word is written or pronounced backwards; as, <i>nam</i> for <i>man</i>.</cd> -- <col>Back stairs</col>, <cd>stairs in the back part of a house; private stairs. Also used adjectively. See <er>Back stairs</er>, <er>Backstairs</er>, and <er>Backstair</er>, in the Vocabulary.</cd> -- <col>Back step</col> <fld>(Mil.)</fld>, <cd>the retrograde movement of a man or body of men, without changing front.</cd> -- <col>Back stream</col>, <cd>a current running against the main current of a stream; an eddy.</cd> -- <col>To take the back track</col>, <cd>to retrace one's steps; to retreat.</cd> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark></cs>

<h1>Back</h1> <Xpage=110>