English English Dictionary
English English Dictionary
The online English-English dictionary from The Project Gutenberg
Dictionary
Backsliding
(p. pr. & vb. n.)
of Backslide
Backsliding
(a.)
Slipping back; falling back into sin or error;
sinning.
Backsliding
(n.)
The act of one who backslides; abandonment of faith or
duty.
Backstaff
(n.)
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the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; --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.
Backstair
(a.)
Private; indirect; secret; intriguing; -- as if finding
access by the back stairs.
Backstairs
(a.)
Alt. of Backstair
Backstay
(n.)
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.
Backstay
(n.)
A rope or strap used to prevent excessive forward motion.
Backster
(n.)
A backer.
Backstitch
(n.)
A stitch made by setting the needle back of the end of
the last stitch, and bringing it out in front of the end.
Backstitch
(v. i.)
To sew with backstitches; as, to backstitch a seam.
Backstress
(n.)
A female baker.
Backsword
(n.)
A sword with one sharp edge.
Backsword
(n.)
In England, a stick with a basket handle, used in rustic
amusements; also, the game in which the stick is used. Also called
singlestick.
Backward
(a.)
Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
Backward
(a.)
Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.
Backward
(a.)
Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension;
dull; inapt; as, a backward child.
Backward
(a.)
Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.
Backward
(n.)
The state behind or past.
Backward
(v. i.)
To keep back; to hinder.