Lexic.us

Definition of Backbone

1. Noun. A central cohesive source of support and stability. "He is the linchpin of this firm"

2. Noun. Fortitude and determination. "He didn't have the guts to try it"

3. Noun. The series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord. "The fall broke his back"

4. Noun. The part of a book's cover that encloses the inner side of the book's pages and that faces outward when the book is shelved. "The title and author were printed on the spine of the book"

5. Noun. The part of a network that connects other networks together. "The backbone is the part of a communication network that carries the heaviest traffic"

Definition of Backbone

1. n. The column of bones in the back which sustains and gives firmness to the frame; the spine; the vertebral or spinal column.

Definition of Backbone

1. Noun. The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals. ¹

2. Noun. any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure ¹

3. Noun. courage, fortitude, or strength ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Backbone

1. the spine [n -S] - See also: spine

Medical Definition of Backbone

1. The spinal column, found in vertebrate animals, which runs along the dorsal side and contains the central nerve cord (spinal cord). The main structural feature of a polymer (chain-like) molecule from which many side chains branch off. (09 Oct 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Backbone

backbiters backbites backbiting backbitings backbitten backblast backblasts backblock backblocks backboard

backboard splint backboards backbond backbonding ligand backbonds backbone (current term) backboned backboneless backbones backbox

backboxes backbreaker backbreakers backbreaking backbreakingly backburn backburned backburner backburners backburning

Literary usage of Backbone

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Cat: An Introduction to the Study of Backboned Animals, Especially Mammals by St. George Jackson Mivart (1900)
"As has been said, this consists of the backbone, together with certain arches, the ribs, which extend from each side of a certain portion of the backbone ..."

2. Economics of Electrical Distribution by Howard Paul Seelye, Paul O.. Reyneau (1922)
""backbone" transmission lines. 2. Secondary transmission lines. ... The problem of a backbone line is usually a specific one, ie, a definite load of known ..."

3. Maryland Geological Survey by Maryland Geological Survey (1913)
"Section at Devil's backbone The Devil's backbone is locally so-called because one of the heavy beds at the top of the Coeymans stands out at this place as a ..."

4. Dragons of the Air: An Account of Extinct Flying Reptiles by Harry Govier Seeley (1901)
"... IX THE backbone, OR VERTEBRAL COLUMN rI ^HE backbone is a more deep-seated part of the JL skeleton than the head. It is more protected by its position, ..."

5. The Origin and Growth of the English Constitution: An Historical Treatise by Hannis Taylor (1898)
"Rise of the middle classes; the backbone of the landed gentry the freeholding ... The backbone of this landed gentry was the freeholding knighthood, ..."

6. Savage Survivals by John Howard Moore (1916)
"Many people believe that the camel's backbone is curved upward in the middle. ... The backbone of the camel is straight, like that of the cow or horse. ..."

Other Resources: