To turn the back

To turn the back
Back Back (b[a^]k), n. [AS. b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b[=e]g[u^] flight. Cf. {Bacon}.] 1. 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. [1913 Webster]

2. An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge. [1913 Webster]

[The mountains] their broad bare backs upheave Into the clouds. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. 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. [1913 Webster]

Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this, Gave me your hands, the backs and palms to kiss. --Donne. [1913 Webster]

4. 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. [1913 Webster]

5. 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. [1913 Webster]

6. The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw. [1913 Webster]

7. A support or resource in reserve. [1913 Webster]

This project Should have a back or second, that might hold, If this should blast in proof. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

8. (Naut.) The keel and keelson of a ship. [1913 Webster]

9. (Mining) The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage. [1913 Webster]

10. A garment for the back; hence, clothing. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

A bak to walken inne by daylight. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

{Behind one's back}, when one is absent; without one's knowledge; as, to ridicule a person behind his back.

{Full back}, {Half back}, {Quarter back} (Football), players stationed behind those in the front line.

{To be on one's back} or {To lie on one's back}, to be helpless.

{To put one's back up} or {to get one's back up}, to assume an attitude of obstinate resistance (from the action of a cat when attacked). [Colloq.]

{To see the back of}, to get rid of.

{To turn the back}, to go away; to flee.

{To turn the back on one}, to forsake or neglect him. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • To turn the back — Turn Turn (t[^u]rn), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Turned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Turning}.] [OE. turnen, tournen, OF. tourner, torner, turner, F. tourner, LL. tornare, fr. L. tornare to turn in a lathe, to rounds off, fr. tornus a lathe, Gr. ? a turner s… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To turn the back on — Turn Turn (t[^u]rn), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Turned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Turning}.] [OE. turnen, tournen, OF. tourner, torner, turner, F. tourner, LL. tornare, fr. L. tornare to turn in a lathe, to rounds off, fr. tornus a lathe, Gr. ? a turner s… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To turn the back upon — Turn Turn (t[^u]rn), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Turned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Turning}.] [OE. turnen, tournen, OF. tourner, torner, turner, F. tourner, LL. tornare, fr. L. tornare to turn in a lathe, to rounds off, fr. tornus a lathe, Gr. ? a turner s… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To turn the back on one — Back Back (b[a^]k), n. [AS. b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b[=e]g[u^] flight. Cf. {Bacon}.] 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To see the back of — Back Back (b[a^]k), n. [AS. b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b[=e]g[u^] flight. Cf. {Bacon}.] 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • turn the clock back — {v. phr.} To return to an earlier period. * /Mother wished she could turn the clock back to the days before the children grew up and left home./ * /Will repealing the minimum wage for workers under age eighteen turn the clock back to the abuses… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • turn the clock back — {v. phr.} To return to an earlier period. * /Mother wished she could turn the clock back to the days before the children grew up and left home./ * /Will repealing the minimum wage for workers under age eighteen turn the clock back to the abuses… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Turn Your Back on Bush — is a form of protest in the United States to express dissatisfaction with President George W. Bush. The first known protest took place on June 14, 2002 in Columbus, Ohio where President Bush delivered a commencement address [… …   Wikipedia

  • Turn The Heat Up — is a metal song from the West Virginia metal band Bobaflex. It was first recorded on the EP Primitive Epic and later re recorded on Apologize For Nothing.Cultural ReferencesThe song makes several references to pop culture and news events of that… …   Wikipedia

  • turn the other cheek — {v. phr.} To let someone do something to you and not to do it in return; not hit back when hit; be patient when injured or insulted by someone; not try to get even. * /Joe turned the other cheek when he was hit with a snowball./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

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