backbone

[bak-bohn] /ˈbækˌboʊn/
noun
1.
Anatomy. the spinal column; spine.
2.
strength of character; resolution.
3.
something resembling a backbone in appearance, position, or function.
4.
Bookbinding. a back or bound edge of a book; spine.
5.
Nautical. a rope running along the middle of an awning, as a reinforcement and as an object to which a supporting bridle or crowfoot may be attached.
6.
Naval Architecture. the central fore-and-aft assembly of the keel and keelson, giving longitudinal strength to the bottom of a vessel.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English bacbon. See back1, bone1
Related forms
backboned, adjective
backboneless, adjective
Synonyms
2. firmness, decision, fortitude.
Examples from the web for backbone
  • Along with hardy evergreen conifers, tough deciduous trees and shrubs form the garden's backbone.
  • Treat them as the backbone of a border combined with perennials, annuals, and herbs.
  • Cut off head and tail and remove fish from backbone.
  • Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export.
  • She is heartened by the continued interest in and commitment to the art form, which is the backbone of the magazine.
  • Meanwhile, the wolves have shown a high incidence of a backbone malformation from inbreeding.
  • It's because the discs between your backbone's vertebrae shrink.
  • No bigger than a housefly, the new species is the smallest known animal with a backbone, a new study says.
  • Bands incorporate various adopted instruments such as the ukulele-the backbone of the string band-guitar and banjo.
  • Jellyfish are invertebrates and don't have a backbone.
British Dictionary definitions for backbone

backbone

/ˈbækˌbəʊn/
noun
1.
a nontechnical name for spinal column
2.
something that resembles the spinal column in function, position, or appearance
3.
strength of character; courage
4.
the main or central mountain range of a country or region
5.
(nautical) the main longitudinal members of a vessel, giving structural strength
6.
(computing) (in computer networks) a large-capacity, high-speed central section by which other network segments are connected
Word Origin and History for backbone
n.

"spine," early 14c., from back (n.) + bone (n.). Figurative sense of "strength of character" is attested from 1843.

backbone in Medicine

backbone back·bone (bāk'bōn')
n.
See spinal column.

backbone in Science
backbone
  (bāk'bōn')   
See vertebral column.
backbone in Culture

backbone definition


The primary line(s) that connects the slower, shorter cable portions of a communications network together. (See last mile.) In larger networks, such as the Internet, a backbone consists of high-capacity, high-speed lines that can extend over great distances.

Slang definitions & phrases for backbone

backbone

noun

Integrity and courage; fortitude: If you had any backbone, you would deal with him


backbone in Technology
networking
The top level in a hierarchical network. Stub networks and transit networks which connect to the same backbone are guaranteed to be interconnected.
See also: Internet backbone.
(1998-07-02)