Refine this word faster
Backwater
name, noun, verb
Definitions
Proper Noun
- 1 A locality in the Armidale council area, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia.
Noun
- 1 The water held back by a dam or other obstruction.
"[…] The backwater separates the main line from Hinksey marshalling yards"
- 2 a place or condition in which no development or progress is occurring wordnet
- 3 A remote place: somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc; any field of endeavor that figuratively resembles such a place. figuratively, idiomatic, usually
"Near-synonyms: (place) jerkwater town, one-horse town, Podunk; see also Thesaurus:remote place"
- 4 a body of water that was created by a flood or tide or by being held or forced back by a dam wordnet
- 5 A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Water used in the papermaking process. Recycled to reduce usage of fresh water, and usually containing residual amounts of chemicals and fibres.
"The back-water (overflow) can be used for "thinning down" the chests when emptying. If "Wastive" does this, his mind will be at ease regarding waste of pulp, and his machine-men will be happy and do their work much better than by trying to use all the back-water on the paper machine."
Verb
- 1 To row or paddle a backwater stroke.
- 2 To vacillate on a long-held position. idiomatic
Etymology
Etymology 1
From back + water.
Etymology 2
From back + water.
See also for "backwater"
Next best steps
Mini challenge
Unscramble this word: backwater