backbone

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back·bone

(băk′bōn′)

1. The vertebrate spine or spinal column.

2. Something, such as the keel of a ship, that resembles a backbone.

3. The main support or major sustaining factor: the backbone of a thesis.

4. Strength of character; determination: displayed grit and backbone in facing adversity.

5. Geology

a. A ridge forming the principal axis of a mountain.

b. The principal mountain ridge, range, or system of a region.

6. Chemistry The main chain of atoms in a polymer.

7. Computers A high-speed communications line that connects smaller, local networks to each other, especially in a wide area network.

back′boned′ adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

backbone

(ˈbækˌbəʊn)

1. (Anatomy) a nontechnical name for spinal column

2. something that resembles the spinal column in function, position, or appearance

3. strength of character; courage

4. (Physical Geography) the main or central mountain range of a country or region

5. (Nautical Terms) nautical the main longitudinal members of a vessel, giving structural strength

6. (Computer Science) computing (in computer networks) a large-capacity, high-speed central section by which other network segments are connected

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

back•bone

(ˈbækˌboʊn)

n.

1. the spinal column; spine.

2. strength of character; resolution.

3. something resembling a backbone in appearance, position, or function.

4. spine (def. 6).

[1250–1300]

back·bone

(băk′bōn′)

See vertebral column.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun	1.	backbone - a central cohesive source of support and stability; "faith is his anchor"; "the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money"; "he is the linchpin of this firm" keystone, linchpin, lynchpin, mainstay, anchor support - something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest; "the policy found little public support"; "his faith was all the support he needed"; "the team enjoyed the support of their fans"
	2.	backbone - fortitude and determination; "he didn't have the guts to try it" guts, moxie, grit, gumption, sand fortitude - strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage colloquialism - a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech
	3.	backbone - the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back" spinal column, spine, vertebral column, rachis, back notochord - a flexible rodlike structure that forms the supporting axis of the body in the lowest chordates and lowest vertebrates and in embryos of higher vertebrates chine - backbone of an animal canalis vertebralis, spinal canal, vertebral canal - the canal in successive vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes coccyx, tail bone - the end of the vertebral column in humans and tailless apes vertebra - one of the bony segments of the spinal column intervertebral disc, intervertebral disk - a fibrocartilaginous disc serving as a cushion between all of the vertebrae of the spinal column (except between the first two) skeletal structure - any structure created by the skeleton of an organism axial skeleton - the part of the skeleton that includes the skull and spinal column and sternum and ribs
	4.	backbone - the part of a book's cover that encloses the inner side of the book's pages and that faces outward when the book is shelved; "the title and author were printed on the spine of the book" spine book, volume - physical objects consisting of a number of pages bound together; "he used a large book as a doorstop" part, portion - something less than the whole of a human artifact; "the rear part of the house"; "glue the two parts together"
	5.	backbone - the part of a network that connects other networks together; "the backbone is the part of a communication network that carries the heaviest traffic" connecter, connector, connective, connection, connexion - an instrumentality that connects; "he soldered the connection"; "he didn't have the right connector between the amplifier and the speakers" meshwork, meshing, network, mesh, net - an open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together at regular intervals

backbone

noun

1. spinal column, back, spine, vertebrae, vertebral column She doubled over, snapping her backbone and breaking her arm.

2. foundation, support, base, basis, mainstay, bedrock the economic backbone of the nation

3. strength of character, will, balls (taboo slang), character, bottle (Brit. slang), resolution, resolve, nerve, daring, courage, determination, guts, pluck, stamina, grit, bravery, fortitude, toughness, tenacity, willpower, mettle, boldness, firmness, spunk (informal), fearlessness, steadfastness, moral fibre, hardihood, ballsiness (taboo slang), dauntlessness You might be taking drastic measures and you've got to have the backbone to do that.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

الأساس، الأساس، الجُزء الأَهَـمالعَمود الفَقَريعُمُود فِقْرِيّ

páteřopora

rygradbasisfundament

Rückgrat

σπονδυλική στήλη

columna vertebral

selkäranka

colonne vertébralechaîne principale

kralježnica

gerincgerincegerincoszlophátgerinc

hrygguruppistaîa, meginstoî

spina dorsale dorsale

背骨

등뼈

mugurkauls

ruggengraat

ryggrad

kręgosłuptrzoncharakter

coluna vertebralespinha dorsal

позвоночник

hrbtenica

ryggrad

กระดูกสันหลัง

omurga temel belkemiği esas

xương sống

主要支柱脊椎脊骨

backbone

[ˈbækbəʊn] N

1. (Anat) → columna f vertebral, espina f dorsal
a patriot to the backbone → un patriota hasta la médula

2. (fig) (= courage) → agallas fpl; (= strength) → resistencia f
the backbone of the organisation → el pilar de la organización

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

backbone

[ˈbækbəʊn] n

(= spine) [person, animal] → colonne f vertébrale, épine f dorsale

(= mainstay)
He's the backbone of the organization → C'est sur lui que repose l'organisation.

(= guts, determination)
He has no backbone → Il n'a pas de cran.
He doesn't have the backbone to do it → Il n'a pas le cran de le faire.back-breaking backbreaking [ˈbækbreɪkɪŋ] adj [work, labour] → éreintant(e)back burner backburner [ˌbækˈbɜː^rnə^r] n
on the back burner → en veilleuse
to put sth on the back burner → mettre qch en veilleuseback catalogue n [musician] → anciens enregistrements mpl

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

backbone

[ˈbækˌbəʊn] n (also) (fig) → spina dorsale
the backbone of the organization → l'anima dell'organizzazione
he's got no backbone → è uno smidollato

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

back

(bӕk) noun

1. in man, the part of the body from the neck to the bottom of the spine. She lay on her back.

2. in animals, the upper part of the body. She put the saddle on the horse's back.

3. that part of anything opposite to or furthest from the front. the back of the house; She sat at the back of the hall.

4. in football, hockey etc a player who plays behind the forwards.

adjective

of or at the back. the back door.

adverb

1. to, or at, the place or person from which a person or thing came. I went back to the shop; He gave the car back to its owner.

2. away (from something); not near (something). Move back! Let the ambulance get to the injured man; Keep back from me or I'll hit you!

3. towards the back (of something). Sit back in your chair.

4. in return; in response to. When the teacher is scolding you, don't answer back.

5. to, or in, the past. Think back to your childhood.

verb

1. to (cause to) move backwards. He backed (his car) out of the garage.

2. to help or support. Will you back me against the others?

3. to bet or gamble on. I backed your horse to win.

ˈbacker noun

a person who supports someone or something, especially with money. the backer of the new theatre.

ˈbackbite verb

to criticize a person when he is not present.

ˈbackbiting noun

Constant backbiting by her colleagues led to her resignation.

ˈbackbone noun

1. the spine. the backbone of a fish.

2. the chief support. The older employees are the backbone of the industry.

ˈbackbreaking adjective

(of a task etc) very difficult or requiring very hard work. Digging the garden is a backbreaking job.

ˌbackˈdate verb

1. to put an earlier date on (a cheque etc). He should have paid his bill last month and so he has backdated the cheque.

2. to make payable from a date in the past. Our rise in pay was backdated to April.

ˌbackˈfire verb

1. (of a motor-car etc) to make a loud bang because of unburnt gases in the exhaust system. The car backfired.

2. (of a plan etc) to have unexpected results, often opposite to the intended results. His scheme backfired (on him), and he lost money.

ˈbackground noun

1. the space behind the principal or most important figures or objects of a picture etc. He always paints ships against a background of stormy skies; trees in the background of the picture.

2. happenings that go before, and help to explain, an event etc. the background to a situation.

3. a person's origins, education etc. She was ashamed of her humble background.

ˈbackhand noun

1. in tennis etc, a stroke or shot with the back of one's hand turned towards the ball. a clever backhand; His backhand is very strong.

2. writing with the letters sloping backwards. I can always recognize her backhand.

adverb

using backhand. She played the stroke backhand; She writes backhand.

ˈbacklog noun

a pile of uncompleted work etc which has collected. a backlog of orders because of the strike.

ˌback-ˈnumber noun

an out-of-date copy or issue of a magazine etc. He collects back-numbers of comic magazines.

ˈbackpack noun

(especially American) a bag that walkers, people who go on trips, or students carry on their backs.

ˈbackpacking: go backpacking

to go on trips or go camping carrying a backpack.

ˈbackpacker noun

ˈbackside noun

the bottom or buttocks. He sits on his backside all day long and does no work.

ˈbackslash noun

the sign (\).

ˈbackstroke noun

in swimming, a stroke made when lying on one's back in the water. The child is good at backstroke.

ˈbackup noun

1. additional people who provide help when it is needed. The police officer requested some backup when the shooting began.

2. a copy of a computer file that can be used in case the original is destroyed.

3. (also adjective) a piece of equipment, a system etc that can be used when there is a problem with the original one. a backup plan; We have a backup generator in case the power fails.

ˈbackwash noun

1. a backward current eg that following a ship's passage through the water. the backwash of the steamer.

2. the unintentional results of an action, situation etc. The backwash of that firm's financial troubles affected several other firms.

ˈbackwater noun

1. a stretch of river not in the main stream.

2. a place not affected by what is happening in the world outside. That village is rather a backwater.

ˌbackˈyard noun

(especially American) a garden at the back of a house etc. He grows vegetables in his backyard.

back down

to give up one's opinion, claim etc. She backed down in the face of strong opposition.

back of

(American) behind. He parked back of the store.

back on to

(of a building etc) to have its back next to (something). My house backs on to the racecourse.

back out

1. to move out backwards. He opened the garage door and backed (his car) out.

2. to withdraw from a promise etc. You promised to help – you mustn't back out now!

back up

1. to support or encourage. The new evidence backed up my arguments.

2. to make a copy of the information stored on the computer or disk.

have one's back to the wall

to be in a very difficult or desperate situation. He certainly has his back to the wall as he has lost his job and cannot find another one.

put someone's back up

to anger someone. He put my back up with his boasting.

take a back seat

to take an unimportant position. At these discussions he always takes a back seat and listens to others talking.

backbone

→ عُمُود فِقْرِيّ páteř rygrad Rückgrat σπονδυλική στήλη columna vertebral selkäranka colonne vertébrale kralježnica spina dorsale 背骨 등뼈 ruggengraat ryggrad kręgosłup espinha dorsal позвоночник ryggrad กระดูกสันหลัง omurga xương sống 脊椎

back·bone

n. columna vertebral, espina dorsal.

backbone

n columna vertebral, columna (fam)

References in classic literature ?

"There's not a lump as big as a pin--except backbone lumps, and you can only feel them because you're thin.

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For I believe that much of a man's character will be found betokened in his backbone. I would rather feel your spine than your skull, whoever you are.

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Hall was leading Billy up what seemed a perpendicular wall in order to gain the backbone of the rock.

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There was another sound of tearing, the backbone flew over the bulwarks, and the fish, headless, gutted, and open, splashed in the tub, sending the salt water into Harvey's astonished mouth.

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No high backbone of island sheltered us from the wind, and it whistled and bellowed about the hut till at times I feared for the strength of the walls.

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A heart weary and flippant; an unstable will; fluttering wings; a broken backbone.

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When we reached the base of the Kaiserstuhl, we took two more horses; we had to toil along with difficulty for an hour and a half or two hours, for the ascent was not very gradual, but when we passed the backbone and approached the station, the driver surpassed all his previous efforts in the way of rush and clatter.

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They were not "English to the backbone," as their aunt had piously asserted.

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Spring, thou sheep-head; spring, and break thy backbone! why don't ye spring, i say, all of ye--spring!

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The Biscayan had an inscription under his feet which said, "Don Sancho de Azpeitia," which no doubt must have been his name; and at the feet of Rocinante was another that said, "Don Quixote." Rocinante was marvellously portrayed, so long and thin, so lank and lean, with so much backbone and so far gone in consumption, that he showed plainly with what judgment and propriety the name of Rocinante had been bestowed upon him.

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Rising from the midst of vast plains and prairies, traversing several degrees of latitude, dividing the waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific, and seeming to bind with diverging ridges the level regions on its flanks, it has been figuratively termed the backbone of the northern continent.

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But just as he got within striking distance, the lady drew out a revolver and shot the animal, breaking his backbone. Not satisfied with this, she poured shot after shot into him till the magazine was exhausted.