Back

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. See Bac, 1.

In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish, or lobster.

An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge.

The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back of a hand rail.

The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a chimney.

The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village.

The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw.

A support or resource in reserve.

The keel and keelson of a ship.

The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage.

A garment for the back; hence, clothing.

Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the back door; back settlements.

Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent.

Moving or operating backward; as, back action.

To get upon the back of; to mount.

To place or seat upon the back.

To drive or force backward; to cause to retreat or recede; as, to back oxen.

To make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back books.

To adjoin behind; to be at the back of.

To write upon the back of; as, to back a letter; to indorse; as, to back a note or legal document.

To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid or influence; as, to back a friend.

To bet on the success of; -- as, to back a race horse.

To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back.

To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; -- used of the wind.

To stand still behind another dog which has pointed; -- said of a dog.

In, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step back.

To the place from which one came; to the place or person from which something is taken or derived; as, to go back for something left behind; to go back to one's native place; to put a book back after reading it.

To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to private life; to go back to barbarism.

(Of time) In times past; ago.

Away from contact; by reverse movement.

In concealment or reserve; in one's own possession; as, to keep back the truth; to keep back part of the money due to another.

In a state of restraint or hindrance.

In return, repayment, or requital.

In withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking; as, he took back0 the offensive words.

In arrear; as, to be back in one's rent.

establish as valid or genuine; "Can you back up your claims?"

the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back"