What does "backwater" mean?

The water held back by a dam or other obstruction.

What is a synonym for "backwater"?

Common synonyms include: abjure, actual places, anytown, arrest, arse end of nowhere, back.

name, noun, verb

name, noun, verb ·3 syllables ·Common ·High school level

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

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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."