Background
['bækgraʊnd] or ['bækɡraʊnd]
Definition
(noun.) (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear.
(noun.) a person's social heritage: previous experience or training; 'he is a lawyer with a sports background'.
(noun.) information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem; 'the embassy filled him in on the background of the incident'.
(noun.) the part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground; 'he posed her against a background of rolling hills'.
(noun.) relatively unimportant or inconspicuous accompanying situation; 'when the rain came he could hear the sound of thunder in the background'.
(noun.) extraneous signals that can be confused with the phenomenon to be observed or measured; 'they got a bad connection and could hardly hear one another over the background signals'.
(verb.) understate the importance or quality of; 'he played down his royal ancestry'.
Typist: Nathaniel--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
(n.) The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.
(n.) Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a background of red hangings.
(n.) A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
Inputed by Cherie
Examples
- It is only a hostile average-sensual-man background against which the philosophers and poets stand out. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- A background and entourage and flooring of deepest crimson threw her out, white like alabaster--like silver: rather, be it said, like Death. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- A voice in the background said that the doctor might be back at any minute--and that nothing, upstairs, was to be disturbed. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- The colleges submit to it whenever they concentrate their attention on the details of the student's vocation before they have built up some cultural background. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- One girl alonequite in the background, persevered in the riot with undiminished energy. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- The stripes were parallel silver lines on a black background sewed to the cloth of the sleeve about eight inches below the shoulder. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- One reason for this is that the dye used to color the fabric requires a clear white background, and loses its characteristic hues when its foundation is yellow instead of white. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- In a short time a white metallic image is obtained, which, when relieved by a background of black velvet or black varnish, equals in delicacy of finish the most beautiful Daguerreotypes. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- Separate the paper print from the background or card by steaming it, after which dry thoroughly. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- Agamemnon could not be got to show in his classical tunic, but stood in the background with Aegisthus and others of the performers of the little play. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- This image was the background of the eye, and its delicate blood vessels and tissues could thus be observed. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Mrs. Pryor, sitting in the background, did not come within the range of his glance, but the two younger ladies had the full benefit thereof. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- But the heavy old-fashioned sash is slowly raised, and a head slowly looks in out of the dark background of night. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Some, if revived now and put to use, would throw proposed flying machines into the background, as they involved perpetual motion. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The former furnishes the background of growth; the latter constitute growing. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- The mental and moral backgrounds of hundreds of millions of minds have been altered and are being altered by the stern lessons of this age. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- However, this introduction of the use of the atomiser caused quite a revolution in the art of applying colours to pottery in the forming of backgrounds. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
Edited by Julia