- Back
- Back Back, adv. [Shortened from aback.]
1. In, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step
back.
[1913 Webster]
2. 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. [1913 Webster]
3. To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to private life; to go back to barbarism. [1913 Webster]
4. (Of time) In times past; ago. ``Sixty or seventy years back.'' --Gladstone. [1913 Webster]
5. Away from contact; by reverse movement. [1913 Webster]
The angel of the Lord . . . came, and rolled back the stone from the door. --Matt. xxviii. 2. [1913 Webster]
6. 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. [1913 Webster]
7. In a state of restraint or hindrance. [1913 Webster]
The Lord hath kept thee back from honor. --Numb. xxiv. 11. [1913 Webster]
8. In return, repayment, or requital. [1913 Webster]
What have I to give you back? --Shak. [1913 Webster]
9. In withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking; as, he took back the offensive words. [1913 Webster]
10. In arrear; as, to be back in one's rent. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
{Back and forth}, backwards and forwards; to and fro.
{To go back on}, to turn back from; to abandon; to betray; as, to go back on a friend; to go back on one's professions. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
