backwater

== English == === Alternative forms === back water back-water === Etymology === From back +‎ water. === Pronunciation === === Noun === backwater (plural backwaters) The water held back by a dam or other obstruction. (idiomatic, usually figurative) A remote place: somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc; any field of endeavor that figuratively resembles such a place. Near-synonyms: (place) jerkwater town, one-horse town, Podunk; see also Thesaurus:remote place A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water (paper industry) Water used in the papermaking process. Recycled to reduce usage of fresh water, and usually containing residual amounts of chemicals and fibres. Synonym: overflow ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === backwater (third-person singular simple present backwaters, present participle backwatering, simple past and past participle backwatered) To row or paddle a backwater stroke. (idiomatic) To vacillate on a long-held position. ==== Translations ==== === References ===