back 1 (b k)n. 1. a. The posterior portion of the trunk of the human body between the neck and the pelvis; the dorsum. b. The analogous dorsal region in other animals. 2. The backbone or spine. 3. The part or area farthest from the front. 4. The part opposite to or behind that adapted for view or use: the back of the hand; wrote on the back of the photograph. 5. The reverse side, as of a coin. 6. A part that supports or strengthens from the rear: the back of a couch. 7. a. The part of a book where the pages are stitched or glued together into the binding. b. The binding itself. 8. Sports a. A player who takes a position behind the front line of other players in certain games, such as football and soccer. b. This playing position. v. backed, back·ing, backs v.tr. 1. To cause to move backward or in a reverse direction: Back the car up and then make the turn. 2. To furnish or strengthen with a back or backing. 3. To provide with financial or moral support; support or endorse: Unions backed the pro-labor candidate. See Synonyms at support. 4. To provide with musical accompaniment. Often used with up. 5. To bet or wager on. 6. To adduce evidence in support of; substantiate: backed the argument with facts. 7. To form the back or background of: Snowcapped mountains back the village. v.intr. 1. To move backward: backed out of the garage. 2. To shift to a counterclockwise direction. Used of the wind. adj. 1. Located or placed in the rear: Deliveries should be made at the back entrance. 2. Distant from a center of activity; remote. 3. Of a past date; not current: a back issue of a periodical. 4. Being owed or due from an earlier time; in arrears: back pay. 5. Being in a backward direction. 6. Linguistics Pronounced with the back of the tongue, as oo in cool. Used of vowels. adv. Phrasal Verbs: 1. At, to, or toward the rear or back; backward. 2. In, to, or toward a former location: went back for the class reunion. 3. In, to, or toward a former condition. 4. In, to, or toward a past time. 5. In reserve or concealment. 6. In check or under restraint: Barriers held the crowd back. 7. In reply or return. back away To withdraw from a position; retreat. back down To withdraw from a position, opinion, or commitment. back off To retreat or draw away. back out 1. To withdraw from something before completion. 2. To fail to keep a commitment or promise. back up Idioms: 1. To cause to accumulate or undergo accumulation: The accident backed the traffic up for blocks. Traffic backed up in the tunnel. 2. Computer Science To make a backup of (a program or file). back and fill 1. Nautical To maneuver a vessel in a narrow channel by adjusting the sails so as to let the wind in and out of them in alteration. 2. To vacillate in one's actions or decisions. back to back Consecutively and without interruption: presented three speeches back to back. behind (one's) back In one's absence or without one's knowledge. have (one's) back up To be angry or irritated. off (someone's) back No longer nagging or urging someone to do something. on (someone's) back Persistently nagging or urging someone to do something. [Middle English bak, from Old English bæc.] back  less adj. |
| back 2 (bk) n. A shallow vat or tub used chiefly by brewers. [Dutch bak, from French bac, from Old French, boat, from Vulgar Latin *baccus, vessel, probably of Celtic origin.] |
back up
vb (adverb)
1. (tr) to support or assist
2. (Team Sports / Cricket) (intr) Cricket (of a nonstriking batsman) to move down the wicket in readiness for a run as a ball is bowled
3. (of water) to accumulate
4. (of traffic) to become jammed behind an accident or other obstruction
5. (Electronics & Computer Science / Computer Science) Computing to make a copy of (a data file), esp for storage in another place as a security copy
6. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) Printing to print the second side of (a sheet)
7. (intr, usually foll by on) Austral to repeat an action immediately
n backup
1. a support or reinforcement
2.
a. a reserve or substitute
b. (as modifier) backup troops
3. (Engineering / Civil Engineering) the overflow from a blocked drain or pipe
4. (Electronics & Computer Science / Computer Science) Computing a file or set of files copied for security purposes
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Verb | 1. | back up - give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to; "She supported him during the illness"; "Her children always backed her up" sponsor - assume responsibility for or leadership of; "The senator announced that he would sponsor the health care plan" buy at, frequent, patronise, shop at, patronize, shop, sponsor - do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of aid, assist, help - give help or assistance; be of service; "Everyone helped out during the earthquake"; "Can you help me carry this table?"; "She never helps around the house" encourage, promote, further, boost, advance - contribute to the progress or growth of; "I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom" undergird - lend moral support to |
| 2. | back up - move backwards from a certain position; "The bully had to back down" | |
| 3. | back up - establish as valid or genuine; "Can you back up your claims?" affirm, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, support, sustain - establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; "his story confirmed my doubts"; "The evidence supports the defendant" | |
| 4. |  back up - make a copy of (a computer file) especially for storage in another place as a security copy; "You'd better back up these files!"computer, computing device, computing machine, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system - a machine for performing calculations automatically | |
| 5. |  back up - become or cause to become obstructed; "The leaves clog our drains in the Fall"; "The water pipe is backed up"gum up - stick together as if with gum; "the inside of the pipe has gummed up" obturate, occlude, close up, impede, obstruct, jam, block - block passage through; "obstruct the path" crap up - become obstructed or chocked up; "The drains clogged up" |
Translations
? back up
vi
(traffic) → sich stauen; (US: drain) → verstopfen
(Comput) → sichern
vt sep
(= support) → unterstützen; (= confirm) story → bestätigen; knowledge → fundieren; claim, theory → untermauern; he backed up the boy’s story that … → er bestätigte den Bericht des Jungen, wonach …; he can back me up in this → er kann das bestätigen
car etc → zurückfahren
(Comput) → sichern, sicherstellen
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