Backprime
noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 The ⟨‵⟩ or ⟨`⟩ symbol; a reversed prime.
"The echo and sed commands appear within backprimes (`) that indicate command substitution: The result of executing the commands within the backprimes replaces the backprimes and everything between them."
- 1 To add (a secondary infusion) to a patient by priming it with fluid from the primary infusion. transitive
"Hang and adjust the rate or set the infusion pump as indicated. If using an infusion pump, follow the specific manufacturer's guidelines to backprime the secondary set."
- 2 To apply a layer of primer to the back side of (a surface). transitive
"I'm assuming a well-built building, with clear pine trim and vertical-grain red cedar clapboards. The first step is to backprime the trim and siding. Backpriming is simply painting the back of the boards — the side against the house — with oil-base primer before they are installed."
Example
More examples"The echo and sed commands appear within backprimes (`) that indicate command substitution: The result of executing the commands within the backprimes replaces the backprimes and everything between them."
Etymology
From back + prime (“the ⟨′⟩ symbol”), compare backslash.
From back + prime (“to prepare a mechanism for its main work; to apply a coat of primer paint to”).
More for "backprime"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.