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3001 entries found
backpack (n.)

also back-pack, 1904, "bag with shoulder straps that allow it to be carried on a person's back," from back (n.) + pack (n.). By 1916 as a verb, "to hike while carrying supplies in a backpack." Related: Backpacked; backpacking.

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backpedal (v.)
also back-pedal, 1883, in bicycling; see back (adv.) + pedal (v.). Related: Backpedalling (1887).
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backscratcher (n.)
also back-scratcher, 1834; see back (n.) + scratch (v.).
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backside (n.)
"the rear part of anything," c. 1400, from back (adj.) + side (n.). In the specific sense of "rump of an animal, buttocks" it is recorded by c. 1500.
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backslash (n.)
punctuation symbol introduced for computer purposes, by 1977, from back (adj.) + slash (n.).
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backslide (v.)
in the religious sense "abandon faith or devotions, apostatize," 1580s, from back (adv.) + slide (v.). Related: Backslider; backsliding (1550s).
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backspace (adj.)

also back-space, 1899, in reference to keyboarding, from back (adv.) + space.

We have had the pleasure of examining one of the 1899 model Hammond typewriters, with the new back-space key. This new feature is certainly an improvement in the machine. [The Phonetic Journal, March 11, 1899]
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backstabber (n.)
also back-stabber, in the figurative sense, 1839, from back (n.) + agent noun from stab (v.). The verb backstab in the figurative sense is from 1925. Related: Backstabbing.
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backstage (n.)

also back-stage, "the area of a theater out of view of the audience," especially in the wings or dressing rooms, 1891; see back (adj.) + stage (n.).

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backstairs (n.)
"stairs at the back of a structure," 1650s, from back (adj.) + stairs (see stair). Figurative use is attested earlier (1640s).
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