Spin applied to a ball in order to slow it, change its flight, or stop it when it lands.
verb
(music) To play a section of a record in reverse, as a disc jockey; to apply spinback.
(transitive) To spin (a ball) with this motion.
backspins
backspins
noun
plural of backspin
backsplashes
backsplashes
noun
plural of backsplash
backsplice
backsplice
noun
Such a knot
verb
To secure the ends of a twisted rope within the rope itself in order to prevent fraying
backspliced
backspliced
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backsplice
backsplicing
backsplicing
verb
present participle of backsplice
backspread
backspringing
backstab
backstab
verb
(transitive) to attack someone (especially verbally) unfairly in a deceitful, underhand, or treacherous manner, especially when they're not present in the place or situation that it happens. (as if stabbing them in the back). See backbite.
backstabbed
backstabbed
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backstab
backstabber
backstabber
noun
A traitor or hypocrite, such as a co-worker or friend assumed trustworthy but who figuratively attacks when one's back is turned.
backstabbers
backstabbers
noun
plural of backstabber
backstabbing
backstabbing
noun
The act of one who backstabs.
verb
present participle of backstab
backstaff
backstaff
noun
(nautical) An early navigational instrument for measuring the altitude of the sun and hence calculating latitude.
backstage
backstage
adj
Relating to, or situated in the area behind a stage.
Secret, concealed from the public.
adv
Out of view of the public.
Towards the area behind the stage.
noun
The area behind a stage out of view of the audience where performers wait to give their show; especially that of the dressing rooms.
The private portion of the space used by a business or enterprise.
backstair
backstair
adj
clandestine, secret or furtive
noun
The backstairs (stairs at the rear of a building).
backstairs
backstairs
adj
Secret or furtive.
noun
A staircase at the rear of a building or one normally only used by servants and tradesmen.
An indirect or furtive means of access or intercourse.
backstamp
backstamped
backstamping
backstay
backstay
noun
(nautical) A part of the rigging of a sailing ship extending from masthead the top of the mast to the back of the ship; they support the strain on all upper masts and provide additional support to the shrouds when the wind is abaft the beam.
A strengthening or supporting piece that is built into the back of something.
backstays
backstays
noun
plural of backstay
backstein
backster
backster
noun
(obsolete) A baker.
backstick
backstick
noun
(field hockey, often attributively) An illegal shot in which a player strikes the ball with the rounded face of the stick in field hockey.
backstitch
backstitch
noun
(sewing) A type of sewing stitch where the stitch goes backwards on the top side of the fabric and doubles forward on the bottom, coming out farther in front, then repeats. The backstitch is a very tight and secure stitch, and also looks very neat.
verb
To sew with a backstitch.
backstitched
backstitched
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backstitch
backstitches
backstitches
noun
plural of backstitch
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backstitch
backstitching
backstitching
verb
present participle of backstitch
backstone
backstop
backstop
noun
(baseball) A wall or fence behind home plate.
(baseball, slang) A catcher; the position of catcher.
(cricket, dated) The longstop.
(cricket, dated) The wicket-keeper.
(espionage) Something serving to bolster or support a cover story etc.
(rounders) The player who stands immediately behind the striking base.
A default arrangement that holds if all else fails.
A thing or a person put in the rear or in the back of something to reinforce, hold, support.
verb
(transitive) To bolster, support.
(transitive) To serve as backstop for.
backstopped
backstopped
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backstop
backstopping
backstopping
verb
present participle of backstop
backstops
backstops
noun
plural of backstop
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backstop
backstories
backstories
noun
plural of backstory
backstrap
backstrap
noun
(drugs) The rolling a marijuana cigarette in a certain fashion
(firearms) The rearmost surface applied to the grip especially of a pistol below a possible beavertail.
A loin of meat consisting of the muscle on each side of the spine.
A pull strap extending the backstay of a boot or shoe.
An anchoring strap, passed around the waist or hips, for a small loom.
The backbone of a book.
verb
To apply or make into a backstrap.
backstrapped
backstreet
backstreet
adj
(figuratively) Done in poor and unsanitary conditions, secretly and illegally; back-alley.
Associated with neighborhoods on back streets, often in older neighborhoods, with poorer residents.
noun
Alternative spelling of back street
backstreets
backstreets
noun
plural of backstreet
backstretch
backstretch
noun
(athletics, horse racing, car racing) Synonym of back straight (“straight part of a racetrack, running track, etc., opposite the finishing line”).
(exercise) An exercise that stretches the muscles of the back.
(figuratively) The middle part of an event.
(horse racing) An area next to a racetrack used to stable the racehorses and house employees.
backstretches
backstretches
noun
plural of backstretch.
backstring
backstrip
backstroke
backstroke
noun
(bellringing) The pull on the tail of the rope that swings the bell through a full circle (compare handstroke)
(swimming) A stroke swum lying on one's back, while rotating both arms through the water as to propel the swimmer backwards.
A backhanded stroke or blow.
verb
To swim the backstroke.
backstroked
backstroked
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backstroke
backstrokes
backstrokes
noun
plural of backstroke
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backstroke
backstroking
backstroking
verb
present participle of backstroke
backstromite
backstromite
noun
(mineralogy) Synonym of hydrohausmannite
backswept
backswept
adj
Swept back.
backswimmer
backswimmer
noun
Any of various aquatic insects, of the family Notonectidae, that swim on their backs.
backswing
backswing
noun
(sports) The preparatory stroke preceding that which produces contact with the target. Normally associated with sports using an implement such as a bat, club, racket or stick.
verb
To swing backward.
backsword
backsword
noun
(UK, dated) A stick with a basket handle, used in rustic amusements.
(UK, dated) The game in which the stick is used.
A sword with one sharp edge.
backswording
backswording
noun
Sport or exercise using a backsword or singlestick.
backswordman
backswordman
noun
(historical) One who fights with a backsword or singlestick.
backswordmen
backswordmen
noun
plural of backswordman
backswordsman
backtrackers
backtrackers
noun
plural of backtracker
backtracks
backtracks
noun
plural of backtrack
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backtrack
backups
backups
noun
plural of backup
backus
backwardness
backwardness
noun
Reluctance.
The state of being backward.
backwardnesses
backwardnesses
noun
plural of backwardness
backwards
backwards
adj
Synonym of backward; see usage notes there.
backwash
backwash
noun
(economics) The situation where economic growth in one area harms other areas by attracting people and business away from those areas.
(nautical) The backward flow of water from oars or propeller or breaking waves.
The result or consequence of an event; an aftermath.
The saliva, spit or food particles that have flowed back into a drink after someone has drunk from it.
The similar flow of air from an aircraft engine.
verb
(transitive) To affect with backwash.
To clean the oil from wool after combing.
To operate a water filter in the reverse direction in order to clean it.
backwashed
backwashed
verb
simple past tense and past participle of backwash
backwasher
backwasher
noun
(textiles) A machine used for washing wool after carding to remove the impurities.
backwashes
backwashes
noun
plural of backwash
backwashing
backwashing
noun
A form of water treatment in which water is pumped backwards through the filter media, sometimes with intermittent use of compressed air.
backwaters
backwaters
noun
plural of backwater
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backwater
backwoods
backwoods
adj
Pertaining to the backwoods.
Rough, uncouth, coarse, or crude in social matters.
noun
A remote or sparsely inhabited region, especially in North America; away from big towns and from the influence of modern life.
Partly or wholly uncleared forest, especially in North America.
backwoodser
backwoodsiness
backwoodsiness
noun
The quality of being backwoodsy.
backwoodsman
backwoodsman
noun
(informal, UK politics) A Peer who is seldom present in the House of Lords of the United Kingdom Parliament, who may be encouraged to attend when a very important vote is expected.
A person who is acclimated to living in a forest area that is far removed from civilization or modern conveniences.
An uncivilized person.
backwoodsmen
backwoodsmen
noun
plural of backwoodsman
backwoodsy
backwoodsy
adj
(US) Typical of something or someone from the backwoods
backwraps
backwraps
noun
plural of backwrap
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of backwrap
backyards
backyards
noun
plural of backyard
badakhshan
badakhshan
Proper noun
A region comprising parts of what is now northeastern Afghanistan and southeastern Tajikistan.
A province of Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province.
Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, or Kūhistoni Badakhshon, a province of Tajikistan.
badderlocks
badderlocks
noun
(Scotland) The edible seaweed Alaria esculenta
baedekers
bagritski
baidarkas
baidarkas
noun
plural of baidarka
bailiwicks
bailiwicks
noun
plural of bailiwick
baisakh
bakehouse
bakehouse
noun
(UK dialectal) Bakery.
A building or an apartment used for the preparing and baking of bread and other baked goods.
A building principally containing ovens.
bakehouses
bakehouses
noun
plural of bakehouse
bakemeats
bakemeats
noun
plural of bakemeat
bakeress
bakeress
noun
(dated) A female baker.
bakeries
bakeries
noun
plural of bakery
bakerless
bakerless
adj
Without a baker.
bakers
bakers
noun
plural of baker
bakersfield
bakersfield
Proper noun
A major city in California, USA
bakership
bakership
noun
The role or status of a baker.
bakerstown
bakersville
bakersville
Proper noun
an unincorporated community in Mercer County, New Jersey, USA.
a town in North Carolina, USA, and the county seat of Mitchell County.
an unincorporated community in Coshocton County, Ohio, USA.
bakes
bakes
noun
plural of bake
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of bake
bakeshop
bakeshop
noun
A shop where baked goods are made and sold.
bakeshops
bakeshops
noun
plural of bakeshop
bakestone
bakestone
noun
Synonym of Welshcake
Synonym of baking stone
bakings
bakings
noun
plural of baking
baklavas
baklavas
noun
plural of baklava
baklawas
baklawas
noun
plural of baklawa
bakshaish
baksheesh
baksheesh
noun
(military slang) A minor wound that is severe enough to get a soldier sent away from the front.
in the Middle East, southwest Asia and Eastern Europe: a bribe or tip.
verb
To bribe with a baksheesh.
baksheeshes
baksheeshes
noun
plural of baksheesh
bakshi
bakshis
bakshish
bakshished
bakshished
verb
simple past tense and past participle of bakshish
bakshishes
bakshishes
noun
plural of bakshish
bakshishing
bakshishing
verb
present participle of bakshish
bakst
bakuninism
bakuninist
bakuninist
Adjective
Relating to, or supporting the revolutionary anarchism of
balalaikas
balalaikas
noun
plural of balalaika
baldricks
baldricks
noun
plural of baldrick
balkanise
balkanise
verb
Alternative spelling of balkanize
balkanised
balkanised
verb
simple past tense and past participle of balkanise
balkanising
balkanising
verb
present participle of balkanise
balkanism
balkanism
noun
Alternative letter-case form of Balkanism
balkans
balkans
Proper noun
A geographical region in the southeast of Europe, roughly equivalent to the area covered by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia (and Kosovo), sometimes including Romania and Slovenia.
balkers
balkers
noun
plural of balker
balkhash
balkiest
balkiest
adj
superlative form of balky: most balky
balkiness
balkiness
noun
The state or quality of being balky or uncooperative.
balkinesses
balkis
balkish
balkish
adj
(obsolete, rare) uneven; ridgy
balklines
balklines
noun
plural of balkline
balks
balks
noun
plural of balk
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of balk
ballhawks
ballhawks
noun
plural of ballhawk
ballocks
ballocks
noun
Alternative form of bollocks
ballparks
ballparks
noun
plural of ballpark
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of ballpark
ballstock
ballstock
noun
(printing, historical) The handle of a printer's ball.
baloskion
baloskionaceae
bangkoks
bangkoks
noun
plural of bangkok
bangwaketsi
bankbooks
bankbooks
noun
plural of bankbook
bankcards
bankcards
noun
plural of bankcard
bankeress
bankeress
noun
(obsolete) A female banker.
bankers
bankers
noun
plural of banker
bankings
bankings
noun
plural of banking
banknotes
banknotes
noun
plural of banknote
bankrollers
bankrollers
noun
plural of bankroller
bankrolls
bankrolls
noun
plural of bankroll
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of bankroll
bankruptcies
bankruptcies
noun
plural of bankruptcy
bankruptism
bankruptism
noun
(obsolete) bankruptcy
bankrupts
bankrupts
noun
plural of bankrupt
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of bankrupt
bankruptship
banks
banks
noun
plural of bank
verb
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of bank
bankshall
bankshall
noun
(India, historical) A warehouse.
(India, historical) The office of a harbormaster or other port authority.
banksia
banksia
noun
A plant belonging to the genus Banksia.
banksian
banksian
Adjective
Of or pertaining to Joseph Banks, English botanist and naturalist.
Of or pertaining to Iain Banks (born 1954) or his writings, most notably a utopian style of science fiction.