Part 850

<h1>Backboard</h1> <Xpage=110>

<hw>Back"board`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[2nd <ets>back</ets>, n. + <ets>board</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>A board which supports the back wen one is sitting;</def>

<note>specifically, the board athwart the after part of a boat.</note>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A board serving as the back part of anything, as of a wagon.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>A thin stuff used for the backs of framed pictures, mirrors, etc.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>A board attached to the rim of a water wheel to prevent the water from running off the floats or paddies into the interior of the wheel.</def>

<i> W. Nicholson.</i>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>A board worn across the back to give erectness to the figure.</def>

<i> Thackeray.</i>

<h1>Backbond</h1> <Xpage=110>

<hw>Back"bond`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[<ets>Back</ets>, adv. + <ets>bond</ets>.]</ety> <fld>(Scots Law)</fld> <def>An instrument which, in conjunction with another making an absolute disposition, constitutes a trust.</def>

<h1>Backbone</h1> <Xpage=110>

<hw>Back"bone"</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[2d <ets>back</ets>,<tt>n.</tt>+ <ets>bone</ets>. ]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>The column of bones in the back which sustains and gives firmness to the frame; the spine; the vertebral or spinal column.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Anything like , or serving the purpose of, a backbone.</def>

<blockquote>The lofty mountains on the north side compose the granitic axis, or <b>backbone</b> of the country. <i> Darwin.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>We have now come to the <b>backbone</b> of our subject. <i> Earle.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Firmness; moral principle; steadfastness.</def>

<blockquote>Shelley's thought never had any <b>backbone</b>. <i> Shairp.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>To the backbone</col>, <cd>through and through; thoroughly; entirely.</cd> "Staunch <i>to the backbone<i>."

<i>Lord Lytton.</i> </cs>

<h1>Backboned</h1> <Xpage=110>

<hw>Back"boned"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Vertebrate.</def>

<h1>Backcast</h1> <Xpage=110>

<hw>Back"cast`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[<ets>Back</ets>, adv.+ <ets>cast</ets>.]</ety> <def>Anything which brings misfortune upon one, or causes failure in an effort or enterprise; a reverse.</def> <mark>[Scot.]</mark>

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

<hw>Back" door"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>. <def>A door in the back part of a building; hence, an indirect way.</def>