English English Dictionary
Dictionary
of Backslide
Slipping back; falling back into sin or error; sinning.
The act of one who backslides; abandonment of faith or duty.
An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.
Private; indirect; secret; intriguing; -- as if finding access by the back stairs.
Alt. of Backstair
A rope or stay extending from the masthead to the side of a ship, slanting a little aft, to assist the shrouds in supporting the mast.
A rope or strap used to prevent excessive forward motion.
A backer.
A stitch made by setting the needle back of the end of the last stitch, and bringing it out in front of the end.
To sew with backstitches; as, to backstitch a seam.
A female baker.
A sword with one sharp edge.
In England, a stick with a basket handle, used in rustic amusements; also, the game in which the stick is used. Also called singlestick.
Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.
Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child.
Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.
The state behind or past.
To keep back; to hinder.