Dictionary Definition
back adj
1 related to or located at the back; "the back
yard"; "the back entrance" [syn: back(a)] [ant:
front(a)]
2 located at or near the back of an animal; "back
(or hind) legs"; "the hinder part of a carcass" [syn: back(a), hind(a), hinder(a)]
3 of an earlier date; "back issues of the
magazine" [syn: back(a)]
Noun
1 the posterior part of a human (or animal) body
from the neck to the end of the spine; "his back was nicely tanned"
[syn: dorsum]
2 the side that goes last or is not normally
seen; "he wrote the date on the back of the photograph" [syn:
rear] [ant: front]
3 the part of something that is furthest from the
normal viewer; "he stood at the back of the stage"; "it was hidden
in the rear of the store" [syn: rear] [ant: front]
4 (football) a person who plays in the
backfield
5 the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the
skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back"
[syn: spinal
column, vertebral
column, spine,
backbone, rachis]
6 the front and back covering of a book; "the
book had a leather binding" [syn: binding, book
binding, cover]
7 the part of a garment that covers your back;
"they pinned a `kick me' sign on his back"
8 a support that you can lean against while
sitting; "the back of the dental chair was adjustable" [syn:
backrest]
9 the position of a player on a football team who
is stationed behind the line of scrimmage adv
1 in or to or toward a former location; "she went
back to her parents' house"
2 at or to or toward the back or rear; "he moved
back"; "tripped when he stepped backward"; "she looked rearward out
the window of the car" [syn: backward, backwards, rearward, rearwards] [ant: forward]
3 in or to or toward an original condition; "he
went back to sleep"
4 in or to or toward a past time; "set the clocks
back an hour"; "never look back"; "lovers of the past looking
fondly backward" [syn: backward] [ant: ahead, ahead]
5 in answer; "he wrote back three days later";
"had little to say in reply to the questions" [syn: in reply]
6 in repayment or retaliation; "we paid back
everything we had borrowed"; "he hit me and I hit him back"; "I was
kept in after school for talking back to the teacher"
Verb
1 be behind; approve of; "He plumped for the
Labor Party"; "I backed Kennedy in 1960" [syn: endorse, indorse, plump for,
plunk
for, support]
2 travel backward; "back into the driveway"; "The
car backed up and hit the tree"
3 give support or one's approval to; "I'll second
that motion"; "I can't back this plan"; "endorse a new project"
[syn: second, endorse, indorse]
4 cause to travel backward; "back the car into
the parking spot" [ant: advance]
5 support financial backing for; "back this
enterprise"
6 be in back of; "My garage backs their yard"
[ant: front]
7 place a bet on; "Which horse are you backing?";
"I'm betting on the new horse" [syn: bet on, gage, stake, game, punt]
8 shift to a counterclockwise direction; "the
wind backed" [ant: veer]
9 establish as valid or genuine; "Can you back up
your claims?" [syn: back up]
10 strengthen by providing with a back or
backing
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
bæcPronunciation
- /bæk/, /b
Extensive Definition
- "Back" redirects here. For other uses, please see Back (disambiguation).
Anatomy of the back
Skeletal structure of the back
The central feature of the human back is the vertebral column, specifically the length from the top of the thoracic vertebrae to the bottom of the lumbar vertebrae, which houses the spinal cord in its spinal canal, and which generally has some curvature that gives shape to the back. The ribcage extends from the spine at the top of the back (with the top of the ribcage corresponding to the T1 vertebra), more than halfway down the length of the back, leaving an area with less protection between the bottom of the ribcage and the hips. The width of the back at the top is defined by the scapula, the broad, flat bones of the shoulders.Muscles of the back
The spine is bordered by several groups of muscles, including the intertransversarii muscle which facilitate movement between the individual vertabrae, and the multifidus spinae, which facilitate the movement of the spine as a whole.Other muscles in the back are
associated with the movement of the neck and shoulders. The
trapezius
muscle, which is named from its trapezium-like
shape, runs between the neck, the anterior
chain, the two shoulders, and the thoracic
vertebra, T12. The large latissimus
dorsi make a triangle from the shoulder to the hip. The
significant mass of muscles in the back can be developed through
back exercises.
Function of the back
The intricate anatomy of the back provides support for the head and trunk of the body, strength in the trunk of the body, as well as a great deal of flexibility and movement. The upper back has the most structural support, with the ribs attached firmly to each level of the thoracic spine and very limited movement. The lower back (lumbar vertabrae) allows for flexibility and movement in backbending (extension) and forward bending (flexion). It does not permit twisting.Back pain
The back comprises interconnecting nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons, all of which can be a source of pain. Back pain is one of the most common types of pain in adults. By far the most common cause of back pain is muscle strain. The back muscles can usually heal themselves within a couple of weeks, but the pain can be intense and debilitating. Other common sources of back pain include disc problems, such as degenerative disc disease or a lumbar disc herniation, many types of fractures, such as spondylolisthesis or an osteoporotic fracture, or osteoarthritis.Organs of the back
The lungs are within the ribcage, and extend to the back of the ribcage, making it possible for them to be listened into through the back. The kidneys are situated beneath the muscles in the area below the end of the ribcage, loosely connected to the peritoneum. A strike to the lower back can damage the kidneys of the person being hit.Surface of the back
The skin of the human back is thicker and has fewer nerve endings than the skin on any other part of the torso. With some notable exceptions (see, e.g. George "The Animal" Steele), it tends to have less hair than the chest on men. The upper-middle back is also the one area of the body which a typical human under normal conditions might be unable to physically touch. When this area is itchy, a backscratcher can be used to ease the discomfort.Significance in human society
The curvature of the female
back is a frequent theme in paintings, because the sensibilities of
many cultures permit the back to be shown nude - implying full
nudity without actually displaying it. Indeed, the practice of
showing explicitness on the lower back has been performed for
centuries. Certain articles of clothing, such as the haltertop and the backless
dress, are designed to expose the back in this manner. The back
also serves as the largest canvas for body art on the
human body. Because of its size and the relative lack of hair, the
back presents an ideal canvas on the human body for Lower
back tattoos. Indeed, some individuals have tattoos that cover the entirety
of the back. Others have smaller tattoos at significant locations,
such as the shoulder blade or the bottom of the back.
Many English
idioms mention the back,
usually highlighting it as an area of vulnerability; one must
"watch one's back", or one may end up "with one's back up against
the wall"; worse yet, someone may "stab one in the back", but
hopefully a friend "has got one's back". The back is also a symbol
of strength and hard work, with those seeking physical labor
looking for "strong backs", and workers being implored to "put
their back into it".
References
back in Arabic:
ظهر
back in Aymara:
Jikhani
back in Pennsylvania German:
Buckel
back in German:
Rücken
back in Spanish:
Espalda
back in Esperanto:
Dorso
back in French:
Dos
back in Hebrew:
גב
back in Latin:
Dorsum
back in Dutch: Rug
(anatomie)
back in Japanese:
背中
back in Polish:
Plecy
back in Portuguese:
Costas
back in Quechua:
Wasa
back in Finnish:
Selkä
back in Swedish:
Rygg
back in Vlaams:
Rik
back in Yiddish:
רוקן
Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words
a priori, a rebours, a
reculons, abandon,
abet, accented, acknowledgments,
advance, advocate, affirm, afford support, aft, after, aftermost, afterpart, afterpiece, again, against the grain, ago, aid, alpenstock, alveolar, alveolar ridge,
alveolus, angel, ante, ante up, anticlockwise, apex, apical, apico-alveolar,
apico-dental, arear,
arena, arm, around, arrested, articulated, arytenoid
cartilages, ascend,
ascender, ascending, aside, ass-backwards, assimilated, assist, assure, astern, athletic supporter,
attest, authenticate, away, axial, back away, back door, back
matter, back of beyond, back off, back seat, back side, back up,
back when, back-country, back-flowing, backbone, backdrop, background, backing, backpedal, backside, backstop, backtrack, backtrail, backward, backwards, backwater, backwood, backwoods, backwoodsy, bandeau, bankroll, bankrupt, barytone, bastard title,
bastard type, be sponsor for, bear, bear out, bear up, beard, bearer, behind, behindhand, belated, belly, bestraddle, bestride, bet, bet on, bevel, bibliography, bilabial, black letter,
blade, blocked, board, body, bolster, bolster up, bond, boost, bra, brace, bracer, bracket, brassiere, break, breech, broad, budge, buoy up, buttress, by, cacuminal, call, cane, cap, capital, capitalize, carrier, carry, case, cast off, catch line,
catchword, central, cerebral, certify, cervix, champion, change, change place, chasing, checked, circle, circumstantiate,
climb, climb on, close, colophon, come after, come
last, commend, confirm, consonant, consonantal, contents, contents page,
continuant, copyright
page, corroborate,
corset, counter, counterclockwise,
countermarch,
countersecure,
cover, cradle, crook, crush, crutch, cry up, cushion, deceitfully, dedication, defeat, delayed, delayed-action,
dental, deny, descend, descender, descending, destroy, detained, disavow, disown, disregard, dissimilated, distance, distant, document, dorsal, dorsal region, dorsum, down-trending, downward, drifting, due, early, ebb, elect, em, en, encourage, endleaf, endorse, endpaper, endsheet, ensure, errata, ex post facto, extremity, face, fade, fail, fall astern, fall back, fall
behind, fat-faced type, feet, field, finance, flat, flow, flowing, fluent, flying, flyleaf, folio, follow, following, font, for a consideration, fore
edge, foreword,
forsake, fortify, foundation garment,
fro, front, front matter, frontier, fulcrum, fund, furtively, gamble, get behind, get in, get
in behind, get on, get over, girdle, give support, glide, glossal, glottal, go, go aboard, go around, go astern,
go back, go back on, go backwards, go into reverse, go on board, go
round, go sideways, going,
gone by, groove, ground, grubstake, guarantee, guaranty, guttural, guy, guywire, gyrate, gyrational, gyratory, half-title page,
hard, hard palate, hard
pressed, hazard, head, heavy, heel, held up, help, helpless, high, hind, hind end, hind part, hinder, hindermost, hindhand, hindhead, hindmost, hindward, hindwards, hinterland, hold, hold up, hop in, hung up,
hype, ignore, imprint, in a bind, in abeyance,
in arrear, in arrears, in back of, in compensation, in
consideration, in reserve, in return, in reverse, in times past,
index, inscription, insidiously, insure, into the past, intonated, introduction, invest in,
isolated, italic, jammed, jock, jockstrap, jump in, keep
afloat, keep up, labial,
labiodental,
labiovelar, lag
behind, larynx, late, lateral, latish, lax, lay, lay a wager, lay down, leaf, lend support, letter, ligature, light, lingual, lips, liquid, locale, logotype, loin, low, lower case, mainstay, maintain, maintainer, majuscule, make a bet, make
sternway, makeup,
mast, master, mature, meet a bet, mid, minuscule, mise-en-scene,
monophthongal,
moratory, mount, mounting, move, move over, muted, narrow, nasal, nasal cavity, nasalized, neck, never on time, nick, nominate, obstructed, occiput, occlusive, open, oral cavity, outback, outlandish, outlying, outstanding, overcome, overdue, owed, owing, oxytone, page, palatal, palatalized, palate, parlay, pass, passing, past due, patronize, pay for, payable, pharyngeal, pharyngeal
cavity, pharyngealized, pharynx, phonemic, phonetic, phonic, pi, pica, pile in, pillow, pitch, pitched, play against, plug, plunge, plunging, point, posterior, postern, posttonic, preface, preliminaries, primitive, print, privately, probate, progress, progressive, promote, prop, prove, provide for, puff, punt, pursuing, rachis, ratify, raw, rear, rear end, rearmost, rearward, rearwards, receivable, recommend, recto, redeemable, refinance, reflex, reflowing, refluent, regress, regressive, reinforce, reinforcement, reinforcer, reject, reminiscently, remote, renege, repudiate, rest, resting place, retarded, retract, retrad, retral, retreat, retroactive, retroactively, retrocede, retroflex, retrograde, retrogress, retrogressive, retrospective, retrospectively,
reverse, reversed, reverso, revert, ridge, rigging, rigidify, rise, rising, roman, rotary, rotate, rotational, rotatory, rough, round, round about, rounded, ruin, run, run interference for, running, running title, rushing, sans serif, scene, screw up, script, second, secretly, secure, see, semivowel, service, set up, setting, shank, shift, shore, shore up, shoulder, shroud, side with, sideward, sign, sign for, signature, since, sink, sinking, slow, slyly, small cap, small capital,
sneakily, soar, soaring, soft, soft palate, sonant, speak highly of, speak
warmly of, speak well of, speech organ, spin, spinal column, spine, sponsor, sprit, staff, stage, stage set, stage setting,
stake, stamp, stand back of, stand
behind, stand by, stand pat, stand up for, standing rigging,
stave, stay, stem, stern, stick, stick by, stick up for,
stiffen, stiffener, stir, stopped, stream, streaming, strengthen, strengthener, stressed, strong, subscribe to, subside, subsidize, substantiate, subtitle, subvene, subvention, support, supporter, surd, surreptitiously,
sustain, sustainer, syllabic, sylvan, syrinx, table of contents,
tail, tail end, tailpiece, take sides with,
tardy, teeth, teeth ridge, tense, text, theater, thick, throaty, tighten, tip, title, title page, to the rear,
tonal, tongue, tonic, tout, trail, trail behind, travel, treacherously, trice up,
trim size, turned around, twangy, type, type body, type class, type
lice, type page, typecase, typeface, typefounders, typefoundry, unaccented, uncivilized, uncultivated, underbrace, undergird, underlie, underpin, underset, undersign, underwrite, undeveloped, uninhabited, unoccupied, unpaid, unpopulated, unpunctual, unready, unrounded, unsettled, unstressed, untimely, up-country,
up-trending, upbear,
uphold, upholder, upkeep, upper case, upward, validate, vanquish, velar, velum, verify, verso, vertebrae, vertebral column,
virgin, vocal chink,
vocal cords, vocal folds, vocal processes, vocalic, vocoid, voice box, voiced, voiceless, vote, vowel, vowellike, wager, walking stick, wane, warrant, waste, weak, whirl, widdershins, wide, wild, wilderness, withdraw from,
without hope, woodland,
wrong-way, wrong-way around