backstory

== English == === Alternative forms === back-story, back story === Etymology === From back- (prefix meaning ‘in, into, or towards the past’) +‎ story. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈbækˌstɔːɹi/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈbækˌstɔɹi/ Hyphenation: back‧story === Noun === backstory (plural backstories) The previous experiences and life of a person, specifically (narratology, especially in film, television) a character in a dramatic work. Synonym: background story Coordinate terms: exposition, origin myth, origin story, pourquoi story (chiefly espionage, law enforcement) A fictitious account of a person's history designed to conceal their actual history and motives. Synonym: cover story ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === backstory on Wikipedia.Wikipedia “backstory, n.”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.