Webster's English Dictionary

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back

Cross references:
  1. recede                 2. support               
 
1. back \'bak\ \'bakt\ \'bak-l*s\ n [ME, fr. OE bc; akin to OHG bah 
   back] 1a: the rear part of the human body esp. from the neck to the end of 
   the spine 1b: the corresponding part of a quadruped or other lower animal  
   1c: SPINAL COLUMN  1d: BACKBONE  2a: the hinder part : REAR; also : the 
   farther or reverse s ide 2b: something at or on the back for support {~ of 
   a chair}  3: a position in some games behind the front line of players; 
   also :: a player in this position - backed aj
2. back av 1a: to, toward, or at the rear  1b: in or into the past : AGO  
   1c: in or into a reclining position  1d1: under restraint  1d2: in a 
   delayed or retarded condition  2a: to, toward, or in a place from which a 
   person or thing came  2b: to or toward a former state  2c: in return or 
   reply 
3. back aj 1a: being at or in the back {~ door}  1b: distant from a central 
   or main area : REMOTE  1c: articulated at or toward the back of the oral 
   passage  2: being in arrears : OVERDUE  3: moving or operating backward  4: 
   not current {~ number of a magazine} 
4. back vt 1a: to support by material or moral assistance : UPHOLD  1b: 
   SUBSTANTIATE  1c: COUNTERSIGN, ENDORSE; also : to assume financial r 
   esponsibility for 2: to cause to go back or in reverse  3a: to furnish with 
   a back  3b: to be at the back of  1: to move backward  of the wind  2: to 
   shift counterclockwise  3: to have the back in the direction of something  
   1: to manage the sails of a ship to keep it clear of obstructions as it floats
   down with the current of a river or channel 2: to take opposite 
   positions alternately : SHILLY-SHALLY  - back and fill 
5. back n [D bak] : a shallow vat or tub used esp. by brewers or dyers