backless


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back 1

 (băk)
n.
1.
a. The part of the trunk of the human body along and to the sides of the spine between the neck and the pelvis; the dorsum.
b. The analogous dorsal region in other animals.
2. The backbone or spine.
3. The part or area farthest from the front.
4. The part opposite to or behind that adapted for view or use: the back of the hand; wrote on the back of the photograph.
5. The reverse side, as of a coin.
6. A part that supports or strengthens from the rear: the back of a couch.
7.
a. The part of a book where the pages are stitched or glued together into the binding.
b. The binding itself.
8. Sports
a. A player who takes a position behind the front line of other players in certain games, such as football and soccer.
b. In swimming, backstroke.
v. backed, back·ing, backs
v.tr.
1. To cause to move backward or in a reverse direction: Back the car up and then make the turn.
2. To furnish or strengthen with a back or backing.
3.
a. To provide with financial or material support: Unions backed the pro-labor candidate.
b. To lend moral support to, as by corroborating a claim. Often used with up: I'm not comfortable filing a complaint if you won't back me up.
c. To be in favor of; endorse or advocate: backed the reform proposal. See Synonyms at support.
4. To provide with musical accompaniment. Often used with up.
5. To bet or wager on.
6. To adduce evidence in support of; substantiate: backed the argument with facts.
7. To form the back or background of: Snowcapped mountains back the village.
v.intr.
1. To move backward: backed out of the garage.
2. To shift to a counterclockwise direction. Used of the wind.
adj.
1. Located or placed in the rear: Deliveries should be made at the back entrance.
2. Distant from a center of activity; remote.
3. Of a past date; not current: a back issue of a periodical.
4. Being owed or due from an earlier time; in arrears: back pay.
5. Being in a backward direction: a back step.
6. Linguistics Pronounced with the back of the tongue, as oo in cool. Used of vowels.
adv.
1. At, to, or toward the rear or back.
2. In, to, or toward a former location: went back for the class reunion.
3. In, to, or toward a former condition: When the spell broke, the prince turned back into a frog.
4. In, to, or toward a past time: This story goes back to the 1920s.
5. In reserve or concealment: We kept back some money for emergencies.
6. In check or under restraint: Barriers held the crowd back.
7. In reply or return: emailed back that he would be late.
Phrasal Verbs:
back away
To withdraw from a position; retreat.
back down
To withdraw from a position, opinion, or commitment.
back off
To retreat or draw away.
back out
1. To withdraw from something before completion.
2. To fail to keep a commitment or promise.
back up
1. To cause to accumulate or undergo accumulation: The accident backed the traffic up for blocks. Traffic backed up in the tunnel.
2. Computers To make a backup of (a program or file).
Idioms:
back and fill
1. Nautical To maneuver a vessel in a narrow channel by adjusting the sails so as to let the wind in and out of them in alteration.
2. To vacillate in one's actions or decisions.
back to back
Consecutively and without interruption: presented three speeches back to back.
behind (one's) back
In one's absence or without one's knowledge.
have got (someone's) back
To be prepared or ready to support or vouch for someone, as in a crisis.
have (one's) back up
To be angry or irritated.
off (someone's) back
No longer nagging or urging someone to do something.
on (someone's) back
Persistently nagging or urging someone to do something.

[Middle English bak, from Old English bæc.]

back′less adj.

back 2

 (băk)
n.
A shallow vat or tub used chiefly by brewers.

[Dutch bak, from French bac, from Old French, boat, from Vulgar Latin *baccus, vessel, probably of Celtic origin.]
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.

backless

(ˈbæklɪs)
adj
(Clothing & Fashion) (of a dress) low-cut at the back
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.backless - lacking a backbackless - lacking a back; "a stool is a backless and armless seat"
backed - having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

backless

[ˈbæklɪs] ADJ [dress] → sin espalda, muy escotado por detrás
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

backless

[ˈbækləs] adj [dress, top] → dos nu inv
a woman in a backless dress → une femme en robe dos nuback list n [books] → ouvrages mpl disponibles
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
References in classic literature ?
The father, with a newly-ladened pipe in his mouth, crouched on a backless chair near the stove.
It had always been my custom to stand when in his presence; even at the council board, except upon those rare occasions when the sitting was a very long one, extending over hours; then I had a trifling little backless thing which was like a reversed culvert and was as comfortable as the toothache.
Apart from the criticism she received from smoking with the star, Mahira was also targeted for wearing a white, backless dress in reportedly leaked images.
The actress showed off her slim figure in backless or cropped outfits.
Wear a brightly colored, mirror-work Chaniya Choli with a deep plunging back, or a backless blouse.
ROM sexy little festival frocks to elegant evening gowns, summer provides ample opportunity to get dolled up, but at the same time, it brings with it a whole host of underwear conundrums - particularly this year, when backless, bandeau and spaghetti-strap dresses are so on-trend.
From backless to sheer, here's what you need to know about choosing a bra for every dress, no matter how skimpy...
com) Gossard glossies sheer bra, PS29, Figleaves (figleaves.com/uk) Fashion Forms U plunge backless strapless bra, PS28, Figleaves (figleaves.com/uk)
GETTING glammed up brings with it underwear conundrums - particularly when backless, bandeau and spaghetti-strap dresses are in fashion.
Summary: Bollywood actress attended a premiere in a backless Zuhair Murad gown, and also spoke at the India Pavilion
AndHolly Willoughbywowed yet again on New Year's Eve when she was pictured hitting the beach in a backless bathing suit and a thigh-skimming mini-skirt.