noun

back

Translation

back, rear, return, support

My back hurts.

He sat at the back of the room.

I will be back soon.

She backed his plan.

sb.'s back (noun) the rear part of a person's body He has a strong back.

the back of sth. (noun) the rear part of an object The garden is at the back of the house.

to be/go/come back (adverb) to return I'll be back in five minutes.

to back sb./sth. (verb) to support sb./sth. The company will back your project.

Synonyms: (noun) rear, spine; (adverb) behind; (verb) support, endorse

From Old English 'bæc', referring to the rear part of the body. This core meaning of 'rear' or 'behind' extends to its other uses.

Think of a 'backpack', which you carry on your 'back'. This connects the body part to the ideas of 'behind' and 'support'.