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A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by
brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for
mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc. |
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A ferryboat. See Bac, 1. |
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In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from
the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the
body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as,
the back of a horse, fish, or lobster. |
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An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge. |
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The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner
or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back
of a hand rail. |
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The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a
thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a
chimney. |
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The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts
the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen;
as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village. |
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The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its
edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw. |
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A support or resource in reserve. |
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The keel and keelson of a ship. |
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The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal
underground passage. |
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A garment for the back; hence, clothing. |
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Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the
back door; back settlements. |
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Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent. |
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Moving or operating backward; as, back action. |
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To get upon the back of; to mount. |
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To place or seat upon the back. |
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To drive or force backward; to cause to retreat or recede;
as, to back oxen. |
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To make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back
books. |
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To adjoin behind; to be at the back of. |
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To write upon the back of; as, to back a letter; to
indorse; as, to back a note or legal document. |
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To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid or
influence; as, to back a friend. |
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To bet on the success of; -- as, to back a race horse. |
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To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back. |
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To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite
to that of the sun; -- used of the wind. |
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To stand still behind another dog which has pointed; --
said of a dog. |
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In, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step
back. |
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To the place from which one came; to the place or person
from which something is taken or derived; as, to go back for something
left behind; to go back to one's native place; to put a book back after
reading it. |
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To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to
private life; to go back to barbarism. |
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(Of time) In times past; ago. |
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Away from contact; by reverse movement. |
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In concealment or reserve; in one's own possession; as, to
keep back the truth; to keep back part of the money due to another. |
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In a state of restraint or hindrance. |
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In return, repayment, or requital. |
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In withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking;
as, he took back0 the offensive words. |
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In arrear; as, to be back in one's rent. |