back

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /bæk/, [bæk], [bak], [-k̚], [-ˀk] (Liverpool) IPA(key): [bax] (Canada, Scotland) IPA(key): [bak], [bäk] Rhymes: -æk === Etymology 1 === From Middle English bak, from Old English bæc, from Proto-West Germanic *bak, from Proto-Germanic *baką, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeg- (“to bend”). The adverb represents an aphetic form of aback. Compare Middle Low German bak (“back”), from Old Saxon bak, and West Frisian bekling (“chair back”), Old High German bah, Swedish and Norwegian bak. Cognate with German Bache (“sow [adult female hog]”). ==== Adjective ==== back (not generally comparable, comparative more back, superlative most back) At or near the rear. (predicative) Returned or restored to a previous place or condition. Not current. Situated away from the main or most frequented areas. In arrears; overdue. Moving or operating backward. (comparable, phonetics) Pronounced with the highest part of the body of the tongue toward the back of the mouth, near the soft palate (most often describing a vowel). ===== Usage notes ===== In linguistic use describing the position of the tongue, the comparative backer and superlative backest are usual; these may also be occasionally found for other senses, especially informally. ===== Synonyms ===== (near the rear): rear (not current): former, previous ===== Antonyms ===== (antonym(s) of “near the rear, phonetics”): front (antonym(s) of “not current”): current (antonym(s) of “away from the main area”): main (of roads) ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ===== See also ===== back vowel ==== Adverb ==== back (comparative further back or farther back, superlative furthest back or farthest back) (not comparable) To or in a previous condition or place. In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing. In a direction opposite to the usual or desired direction of movement or progress, physically or figuratively. Towards, into or in the past. Away from someone or something; at a distance. Away from the front or from an edge. So as to shrink, recede or move aside, or cause to do so. In a manner that impedes. (not comparable) In a reciprocal manner; in return. (postpositive) Earlier, ago. To a later point in time. See also put back. ===== Derived terms ===== spring forward, fall back ===== Translations ===== ==== Noun ==== back (plural backs) The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly. The spine and associated tissues. (slang, uncountable) Large and attractive buttocks. (figurative) The part of a piece of clothing which covers the back. The backrest, the part of a piece of furniture which receives the human back. (obsolete) That part of the body that bears clothing. (Now used only in the phrase clothes on one's back.) That which is farthest away from the front. The side of any object which is opposite the front or useful side. The edge of a book which is bound. (printing) The inside margin of a page. The side of a blade opposite the side used for cutting. The reverse side; the side that is not normally seen. Area behind, such as the backyard of a house or the rear storeroom of a retail store. The part of something that goes last. (sports) In some team sports, a position behind most players on the team. (figuratively) The upper part of a natural object which is considered to resemble an animal’s back. A support or resource in reserve. (nautical) The keel and keelson of a ship. (mining) The roof of a horizontal underground passage. (slang, uncountable) Effort, usually physical. A non-alcoholic drink (often water or a soft drink), to go with hard liquor or a cocktail. Among leather dealers, one of the thickest and stoutest tanned hides. (swimming) Clipping of backstroke. ===== Synonyms ===== (side opposite the visible side): reverse (rear of the body): dorsum (bound edge of book): spine ===== Antonyms ===== (antonym(s) of “side opposite the front or useful side”): front (antonym(s) of “that which is farthest away from the front”): front ===== Hyponyms ===== (lower rear of the body): See Thesaurus:buttocks ===== Coordinate terms ===== (non-alcoholic drink): chaser ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Related terms ===== bacon ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== back (third-person singular simple present backs, present participle backing, simple past and past participle backed) (intransitive) To go in the reverse direction. (transitive) To support. (nautical, of the wind) To change direction contrary to the normal pattern; that is, to shift anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere, or clockwise in the southern hemisphere. (nautical, of a square sail) To brace the yards so that the wind presses on the front of the sail, to slow the ship. (nautical, of an anchor) To lay out a second, smaller anchor to provide additional holding power. (UK, of a hunting dog) To stand still behind another dog which has pointed. (transitive) To push or force backwards. (transitive, obsolete) To get upon the back of; to mount. (transitive, obsolete) To place or seat upon the back. To make a back for; to furnish with a back. To adjoin behind; to be at the back of. To write upon the back of, possibly as an endorsement. (law, of a justice of the peace) To sign or endorse (a warrant, issued in another county, to apprehend an offender). To row backward with (oars). (MLE, transitive) To draw from behind the back (a knife etc.) (as also back out). (Nigeria, transitive) To carry an infant on one’s back. ===== Antonyms ===== (antonym(s) of “nautical: of the wind”): veer ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === Borrowed from French bac. ==== Noun ==== back (plural backs) 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. A ferryboat. ===== Translations ===== == Czech == === Alternative forms === bek === Etymology === Borrowed from English back. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): [ˈbɛk] Rhymes: -ɛk Homophone: beg === Noun === back m anim (sports, obsolete) back Synonyms: obránce, zadák Antonyms: útočník, forward ==== Declension ==== === Noun === back m inan (sports, rare) defense Synonym: obrana Antonym: útok ==== Declension ==== === Further reading === “back”, in Příruční slovník jazyka českého (in Czech), 1935–1957 “back”, in Slovník spisovného jazyka českého (in Czech), 1960–1971, 1989 == French == === Etymology === Borrowed from English back. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /bak/ Homophone: bac === Adverb === back (Louisiana, Missouri, Cajun, Acadia) back == German == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /bak/ Rhymes: -ak === Verb === back inflection of backen: second-person singular imperative (colloquial) first-person singular present indicative == Middle English == === Noun === back alternative form of bak (“back”) == Swedish == === Pronunciation === === Etymology 1 === From English back. ==== Noun ==== back c back; position behind most players on the team reverse; car gear ===== Declension ===== ==== Adverb ==== back (not comparable) backwards (often of machines, engines, etc., or in commands) (in "gå back") to lose (usually money) (in "ligga back") to be at a deficit (usually of money) === Etymology 2 === From German Back. ==== Noun ==== back c crate; storage of small goods Hypernym: lastbärare Hyponym: läskback ===== Declension ===== === References === back in Svensk ordbok (SO) back in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL) back in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)