Main Entry:

¹back

Pronunciation:

\ˈbak\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English bæc; akin to Old High German bah back, Old Norse bak

Date:

before 12th century

1 a (1): the rear part of the human body especially from the neck to the end of the spine (2): the body considered as the wearer of clothes (3): capacity for labor, effort, or endurance (4): the back considered as the seat of one's awareness of duty or failings <get off my back> (5): the back considered as an area of vulnerability <the police officer's partner always watches his back> b: the part of a lower animal (as a quadruped) corresponding to the human back c: spinal column d: spine 1c2 a: the side or surface opposite the front or face : the rear part ; also : the farther or reverse side b: something at or on the back for support <back of a chair> c: a place away from the front <sat in back>3: a position in some games (as football or soccer) behind the front line of players ; also : a player in this position

— backed \ˈbakt\ adjective

— back·less \ˈbak-ləs\ adjective

— back of one's hand or back of the hand

: a show of contempt

— back of one's mind

: the remote part of one's mind where thoughts and memories are stored to be drawn on

— behind one's back

: without one's knowledge : in secret

— in back of

: behind