Webster's Unabridged Dictionary - Letter B - Page 3
Backbond (n.) (Scots Law) 限制財產處理權証書 An instrument which, in conjunction with another making an absolute disposition, constitutes a trust.
Back-bond () A bond given by one to a surety, to indemnify such surety in case of loss. In Scotland, a back-bond is an instrument which, in conjunction with another which gives an absolute disposition, constitutes a trust. A declaration of trust.
Backbone (n.) 脊骨，脊柱 [C]；主（山）脈，幹脈 The column of bones in the back which sustains and gives firmness to the frame; the spine; the vertebral or spinal column.
Backbone (n.) Anything like , or serving the purpose of, a backbone.
The lofty mountains on the north side compose the granitic axis, or backbone of the country. -- Darwin.
We have now come to the backbone of our subject. -- Earle.
Backbone (n.) Firmness; moral principle; steadfastness.
Shelley's thought never had any backbone. -- Shairp.
To the backbone, Through and through; thoroughly; entirely. "Staunch to the backbone." -- Lord Lytton.
Backbone (n.) A central cohesive source of support and stability; "faith is his anchor"; "the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money"; "he is the linchpin of this firm" [syn: anchor, mainstay, keystone, backbone, linchpin, lynchpin].
Backbone (n.) Fortitude and determination; "he didn't have the guts to try it" [syn: backbone, grit, guts, moxie, sand, gumption].
Backbone (n.) The series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back" [syn: spinal column, vertebral column, spine, backbone, back, rachis].
Backbone (n.) The part of a book's cover that encloses the inner side of the book's pages and that faces outward when the book is shelved; "the title and author were printed on the spine of the book" [syn: spine, backbone].
Backbone (n.) The part of a network that connects other networks together; "the backbone is the part of a communication network that carries the heaviest traffic".
Backboned (a.) 有脊骨的；剛毅的；果斷的 Vertebrate.
Backcast (n.) Anything which brings misfortune upon one, or causes failure in an effort or enterprise; a reverse. [Scot.]
Back door (n.) 後門 A door in the back part of a building; hence, an indirect way. -- Atterbury.
Back door (n.) A secret or underhand means of access (to a place or a position); "he got his job through the back door" [syn: back door, backdoor].
Back door (n.) An undocumented way to get access to a computer system or the data it contains [syn: back door, backdoor].
Back door (n.) An entrance at the rear of a building [syn: back door, backdoor, back entrance].
Backdoor (a.) Acting from behind and in concealment; as, backdoor intrigues.
Backdoor (n.) An undocumented way to get access to a computer system or the data it contains [syn: back door, backdoor].
Backdoor (n.) An entrance at the rear of a building [syn: back door, backdoor, back entrance].
Backdoor (n.) A secret or underhand means of access (to a place or a position); "he got his job through the back door" [syn: back door, backdoor].
Backdown (n.) A receding or giving up; a complete surrender.[Colloq.]
Backdown (n.) A retraction of a previously held position [syn: withdrawal, backdown, climb-down].
Backdrop (n.) 【戲】背景幕；背景；（事件的）背景 The scenery hung at back of stage. Also called in Britain backcloth.
Syn: background, backcloth
Backdrop (n.) The background, setting, or circumstances of an event; as, the backdrop for the summit meeting.
Backdrop (n.) Scenery hung at back of stage [syn: {backdrop}, {background}, {backcloth}].
Backdrop (n.) A painted cloth hung at the back of a theatre stage as part of the scenery.
Backdrop (n.) The setting or background for a scene, event, or situation.
‘The conference took place against a backdrop of increasing diplomatic activity.’
Backdrop (v.) [With object] Lie behind or beyond; serve as a background to.
‘The rolling hills that backdropped our camp.’
Compare: Backcloth
Backcloth (n.) (British) 背景幕；背景；（事件的）背景 Another term for backdrop.
Backed (a.) （常用於複合字中）有背的；有財力支持的；被打賭的 Having a back; fitted with a back; as, a backed electrotype or stereotype plate. Used in composition; as, broad-backed; hump-backed.
Backed (a.) Having a back or backing, usually of a specified type [ant: backless].
Backed (a.) Used of film that is coated on the side opposite the emulsion with a substance to absorb light.
Backer (n.) 支援者；贊助人；襯墊物 One who, or that which, backs; especially one who backs a person or thing in a contest.
Backer (n.) Invests in a theatrical production [syn: angel, backer].
Backfall (n.) A fall or throw on the back in wrestling.
Backfire (v.) [ I ] (Bad result) (Of a plan) （計劃）產生適得其反的結果，產生反效果 To have the opposite result from the one you intended.
// Her plans to make him jealous backfired on her when he started dating her best friend.
Backfire (v.) [ I ] (Engine) (Of an engine) （引擎）發生逆火 To make a loud noise as a result of fuel burning too early.
// I was woken by the sound of a truck backfiring.
Backfriend (n.) A secret enemy. [Obs.] -- South.
Backgammon (n.) 西洋雙陸棋戲 A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a "board" marked off into twenty-four spaces called "points". Each player has fifteen pieces, or "men", the movements of which from point to point are determined by throwing dice. Formerly called tables.
Backgammon board, A board for playing backgammon, often made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together, each tray containing two "tables".
Backgammon (v. t.) In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before the loser is clear of his first "table". When played for betting purposes, the winner in such a case scores three times the wagered amount.
Backgammon (n.) A board game for two players; pieces move according to throws of the dice.
Background (n.) 背景（與前景 Foreground 相對）[C]；（事件等的）背景，遠因 [C] [U]；出身背景；（包括學歷在內的）經歷 [C] [U] Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
Background (n.) (Paint.) The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.
Note: The distance in a picture is usually divided into foreground, middle distance, and background. -- Fairholt.
Background (n.) Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a background of red hangings.
Background (n.) A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
I fancy there was a background of grinding and waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly finished . . . performance. -- Mrs. Alexander.
A husband somewhere in the background. -- Thackeray
Background (n.) The set of conditions within which an action takes place, including the social and physical conditions as well as the psychological states of the participants; as, within the background of the massive budget deficits of the 1980's, new spending programs had little chance of passage by the congress.
Background (n.) The set of conditions that precede and affect an action, such as the social and historical precedents for the event, as well as the general background [5]; as, against the background of their expulsion by the Serbs, the desire of Kosovars for vengeance is understandable though regrettable.
Background (n.) (Science) The signals that may be detected by a measurement which are not due to the phenomenon being studied, and tend to make the measurement uncertain to a greater or lesser degree. Specifically: (Physics) Electronic noise present in a system using electronic measuring instrument or in a telecommunications system, which may hide and which must be differentiated from the desired signal; also called background noise or noise.
Background (n.) (Journalism) An agreement between a journalist and an interviewee that the name of the interviewee will not be quoted in any publication, although the substance of the remarks may be reported; -- often used in the phrase "on background". Compare deep background.
To place in the background, To make of little consequence.
To keep in the background, To remain unobtrusive, inconspicuous or out of sight; -- of people.
Deep background, (Journalism) The status of an interview which must not be quoted in a publication, even without attribution. Compare background [8].
Background (n.) A person's social heritage: previous experience or training; "he is a lawyer with a sports background".
Background (n.) The part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground; "he posed her against a background of rolling hills" [syn: background, ground].
Background (n.) Information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem; "the embassy filled him in on the background of the incident" [syn: background, background knowledge].
Background (n.) 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" [syn: background, background signal].
Background (n.) Relatively unimportant or inconspicuous accompanying situation; "when the rain came he could hear the sound of thunder in the background".
Background (n.) The state of the environment in which a situation exists; "you can't do that in a university setting" [syn: setting, background, scope].
Background (n.) (Computer science) The area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear [syn: background, desktop, screen background].
Background (n.) Scenery hung at back of stage [syn: backdrop, background, backcloth].
Background (v.) Understate the importance or quality of; "he played down his royal ancestry" [syn: background, play down, downplay] [ant: foreground, highlight, play up, spotlight].
Backhand (n.) 左斜的書法 A kind of handwriting in which the downward slope of the letters is from left to right.
Backhand (n.) (Sports) 反手拍；反手擊球 The stroke of a ball with a racket or paddle, in which head of the racket starts from the side of the body opposite to that of the arm in which the racket is held, and proceeds forward to meet the ball. Contrasted with forehand.
Backhand (a.) Sloping from left to right; -- said of handwriting.
Backhand (a.) Backhanded; indirect; oblique. [R.]
Backhand (a.) (Of racket strokes) Made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke [syn: backhand (a), backhanded] [ant: forehand (a), forehanded].
Backhand (a.) (Of handwriting) Having the letters slanting backward [syn: backhand, left-slanting].
Backhand (n.) A return made with the back of the hand facing the direction of the stroke [syn: backhand, backhand stroke, backhand shot].
Backhand (v.) 反手抽擊 Hit a tennis ball backhand.
Backhanded (a.) 反手的；逆的；(書法) 左斜體的；間接的，轉彎抹角的，曖昧的，諷刺的；(繩子) 反搓的 (a backhanded compliment 挖苦的恭維話)。 With the hand turned backward; as, a backhanded blow.
Backhanded (a.) Indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic; as, a backhanded compliment.
Backhanded (a.) Turned back, or inclining to the left; as, a backhanded letters.
Backhanded (a. & adv.) (Sport) (adv.) 反手地 Stroked with a backhand [2]; as, a backhanded drive.
Backhanded (a.) (Of racket strokes) Made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke [syn: backhand (a), backhanded] [ant: forehand (a), forehanded].
Backhanded (a.) Roundabout or ambiguous; "attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity"; "a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal".
Backhandedness (n.) State of being backhanded; the using of backhanded or indirect methods.
Backhander (n.) 反手一擊；追加的一杯；【英】回扣；賄賂 A backhanded blow.
Backhander (n.) A blow made with the back of the hand.
‘Shut up, or I'll give you a backhander.’
Backhander (n.) A backhand stroke or shot in a game.
‘Hunter flipped in a backhander.’
Backhander (n.) [British] [ Informal] A secret and illegal payment; a bribe.
‘A fortune had been paid in backhanders to local officials.’
Backhouse (n.) 後面之小屋（尤指廁所） A building behind the main building. Specifically: A privy; an outhouse; a necessary.
Backing (n.) 支持；逆行 The act of moving backward, or of putting or moving anything backward.
Backing (n.) That which is behind, and forms the back of, anything, usually giving strength or stability.
Backing (n.) Support or aid given to a person or cause.
Backing (n.) (Bookbinding) The preparation of the back of a book with glue, etc., before putting on the cover.
Backing (n.) The act of providing approval and support; "his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives" [syn: backing, backup, championship, patronage].
Backing (n.) Something forming a back that is added for strengthening [syn: backing, mount].
Backing (n.) Financial resources provided to make some project possible; "the foundation provided support for the experiment" [syn: support, financial support, funding, backing, financial backing].
Backing, () crim. law practice. Backing a warrant occurs whenever it becomes necessary to execute it out of the jurisdiction of the magistrate who granted it; as when an offender escapes out of the county in which he committed the offence with which he is charged, into another county. In such a case, a magistrate of the county in which the offender may, be found, endorses, or writes his name on the back of the warrant, and thereby gives authority to execute it within his jurisdiction. This is called backing the warrant. This may be from county to county, if necessary.
Backjoint (n.) (Arch.) A rebate or chase in masonry left to receive a permanent slab or other filling.
Backlash (n.) (Mech.) 反衝，反撞；強烈反應；強烈反對；反斜線，後座 The distance through which one part of connected machinery, as a wheel, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, resulting from looseness in fitting or from wear; also, the jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion.
Backlash (n.) A strong and sudden reverse movement in a moving part of a machine.
Backlash (n.) A strong popular reaction serving to counter the effect of an action; -- used especially of adverse reactions to social or political developments.
Backlash (n.) A movement back from an impact [syn: {recoil}, {repercussion}, {rebound}, {backlash}].
Backlash (n.) An adverse reaction to some political or social occurrence; "there was a backlash of intolerance".
Backlash (v.) Come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect; "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble" [syn: {backfire}, {backlash}, {recoil}].
Backlash (n.) [ C ] （社會或政治方面的）強烈反應；強烈反對 A strong feeling among a group of people in reaction to a change or recent events in society or politics.
// The 60s backlash against bourgeois materialism.
// The backlash against feminism.
Backless (a.) 無背的，無背部的 Without a back.
Backless (a.) Lacking a back; "a stool is a backless and armless seat" [ant: backed].
Backlog (n.) 墊底大木頭 A large stick of wood, forming the back of a fire on the hearth. Contrasted to forestick. [U.S.]
There was first a backlog, from fifteen to four and twenty inches in diameter and five feet long, imbedded in the ashes. -- S. G. Goodrich.
Backlog (n.) 積壓 An accumulation (of tasks or of materials) that were not performed or processed at the normal time and require attention; as, unexpected demand led to a large backlog of unfilled orders; politically motivated delays led to a large backlog of unconfirmed judicial appointments.
Backlog (n.) An accumulation of jobs not done or materials not processed that are yet to be dealt with (especially unfilled customer orders for products or services).
Backlog (n.) The large log at the back of a hearth fire.
Backlog (n.) 存貨；儲備金；備用品 Something kept back or saved for future use or a special purpose [syn: reserve, backlog, stockpile].
Backlog (v.) 積壓 Accumulate and create a backlog.
Backpack (n.) 登山、遠足用的背包 A bag carried on the back, supported by straps looped over the shoulders.
Syn: knapsack; rucksack; haversack.
Backpack (v. i.) To hike while carrying a backpack; -- often used in the form go backpacking; as, to backpack through the forest.
Backpack (n.) A bag carried by a strap on your back or shoulder [syn: backpack, back pack, knapsack, packsack, rucksack, haversack].
Backpack (v. t.) 把……放入背包 (v. i.) 背負簡便行李旅行 Hike with a backpack; "Every summer they are backpacking in the Rockies" [syn: backpack, pack].
Backpiece (n.) Alt. of Backplate.
Backplate (n.) A piece, or plate which forms the back of anything, or which covers the back; armor for the back.
Backrack (n.) Alt. of Backrag.
Backrag (n.) See Bacharach.
Backs (n. pl.) Among leather dealers, the thickest and stoutest tanned hides.
Backsaw (n.) 背部加厚的短鋸 A saw (as a tenon saw) whose blade is stiffened by an added metallic back.
Backsaw (n.) A handsaw that is stiffened by metal reinforcement along the upper edge [syn: backsaw, back saw].
Backset (n.) （疾病等）復發；逆流 A check; a relapse; a discouragement; a setback.
Backset (n.) Whatever is thrown back in its course, as water.
Slackwater, or the backset caused by the overflow. -- Harper's Mag.
Backset (v. t.) To plow again, in the fall; -- said of prairie land broken up in the spring. [Western U.S.]
Backsettler (n.) One living in the back
or outlying districts of a community.
The English backsettlers of Leinster and Munster. -- Macaulay. Backsheesh
Backsheesh (n.) Alt. of Backshish
Backshish (n.) In Egypt and the Turkish empire, a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter); a gratuity; a "tip".
Syn: gratuity, tip, baksheesh, bakshish, bakshis.
Backsheesh (n.) A relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter) [syn: gratuity, tip, pourboire, baksheesh, bakshish, bakshis, backsheesh].
Backside (n.) The hinder part, posteriors, or rump of a person or animal.
Note: Backside (one word) was formerly used of the rear part or side of any thing or place, but in such senses is now two words.
Backsight (n.) (Surv.) The reading of the leveling staff in its unchanged position when the leveling instrument has been taken to a new position; a sight directed backwards to a station previously occupied. Cf. Foresight, n., 3.
Backslid (imp.) of Backslide.
Backslidden (p. p.) of Backslide.
Backslid () of Backslide.
Backsliding (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Backslide.
Backslide (v. i.) To slide back; to fall away; esp. to abandon gradually the faith and practice of a religion that has been professed.
Backslider (n.) One who backslides.
Backslider (n.) Someone who lapses into previous undesirable patterns of behavior [syn: recidivist, backslider, reversionist].
Backsliding (a.) Slipping back; falling back into sin or error; sinning.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord. -- Jer. iii. 14.
Backsliding (n.) The act of one who backslides; abandonment of faith or duty.
Our backslidings are many. -- Jer. xiv. 7. backspace
Backsliding (n.) A failure to maintain a higher state [syn: backsliding, lapse, lapsing, relapse, relapsing, reversion, reverting].
Backstaff (n.) An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.
Back stairs () Stairs in the back part of a house, as distinguished from the front stairs; hence, a private or indirect way. Backstairs
Backstairs (a.) Alt. of Backstair.
Backstair (a.) Private; indirect; secret; conducted with secrecy; intriguing; -- as if finding access by the back stairs; as, backstairs gossip.
Syn: Clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, on the quiet(predicate), secret, subterranean, surreptitious, undercover, underground.
A backstairs influence. -- Burke.
Female caprice and backstair influence. -- Trevelyan.
Backstair (a.) Secret and sly or sordid; "backstairs gossip"; "his low backstairs cunning"- A.L.Guerard; "backstairs intimacies"; "furtive behavior" [syn: backstair, backstairs, furtive].
Backstay (n.) (Naut.) A rope or stay extending from the masthead to the side of a ship, slanting a little aft, to assist the shrouds in supporting the mast. [Often used in the plural.]
Backstay (n.) A rope or strap used to prevent excessive forward motion.
Backstay (n.) A stay that supports the back of something
Backster (n.) A backer. [Obs.]
Backstitch (n.) A stitch made by setting the needle back of the end of the last stitch, and bringing it out in front of the end.
Backstitch (v. t.) To sew with backstitches; as, to backstitch a seam.
Backstitch (n.) An overlapping stitch made by starting the next stitch at the middle of the preceding one.
Backstitch (v.) Do backstitches.
Backstress (n.) A female baker. [Obs.]
Backsword (n.) A sword with one sharp edge.
Backsword (n.) In England, a stick with a basket handle, used in rustic amusements; also, the game in which the stick is used. Also called singlestick. -- Halliwell.
Backsword (n.) A stick used instead of a sword for fencing [syn: singlestick, fencing stick, backsword]
Backsword (n.) A sword with only one cutting edge.
Backward (adv.) Alt. of Backwards.
Backwards (adv.) With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.
Backwards (adv.) Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward.
Backwards (adv.) On the back, or with the back downward.
Backwards (adv.) Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.
Backwards (adv.) By way of reflection; reflexively.
Backwards (adv.) From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.
Backwards (adv.) In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards.
Backward (a.) Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
Backward (a.) Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.
Backward (a.) Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child.
Backward (a.) Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.
Backward (a.) Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.
Backward (a.) Already past or gone; bygone.
Backward (n.) The state behind or past.
Backward (v. i.) To keep back; to hinder.
Backwardation (n.) (Stock Exchange) The seller's postponement of delivery of stock or shares, with the consent of the buyer, upon payment of a premium to the latter; -- also, the premium so paid. See Contango. -- Biddle.
Backwardly (adv.) Reluctantly; slowly; aversely. [Obs.] -- Sir P. Sidney.
Backwardly (adv.) Perversely; ill. [Obs.]
And does he think so backwardly of me? -- Shak.
Backwardness (n.) The state of being backward.
Backwardness (n.) Lack of normal development of intellectual capacities [syn: retardation, mental retardation, backwardness, slowness, subnormality].
Backwash (v. t.) To clean the oil from (wood) after combing. -- Ash.
Backwash (v. t.) (Chem.) To clean (a filter, a chromatography column, a water softener, etc.) by passing liquid through in the reverse of the normal direction of flow. This procedure dislodges particles which clog the pores of the filter or column packing, removing them from the filter or column.
Backwash (n.) The flow of water propelled backward by the propeller, paddle wheel, or oars of a boat.
Backwash (n.) (Aeron.) The backward flowing air within the wash of an airplane, caused mostly by the engine.
Backwash (n.) The flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller [syn: slipstream, airstream, race, backwash, wash].
Backwash (n.) The consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event); "the aftermath of war"; "in the wake of the accident no one knew how many had been injured" [syn: aftermath, wake, backwash].
Backwash (n.) The wave that spreads behind a boat as it moves forward; "the motorboat's wake capsized the canoe" [syn: wake, backwash].
Backwater (n.) Water turned back in its course by an obstruction, an opposing current , or the flow of the tide, as in a sewer or river channel, or across a river bar.
Backwater (n.) An accumulation of water overflowing the low lands, caused by an obstruction.
Backwater (n.) Water thrown back by the turning of a waterwheel, or by the paddle wheels of a steamer.
Backwater (n.) A body of water that was created by a flood or tide or by being held or forced back by a dam; "the bayous and backwaters are breeding grounds for mosquitos"
Backwater (n.) A place or condition in which no development or progress is occurring; "the country is an economic backwater".
BACK-WATER. () That water in a stream which, in consequence of some obstruction below, is detained or checked in its course, or reflows.
BACK-WATER. () Every riparian owner is entitled to the benefit of the water in its natural state. Whenever, therefore, the owner of land dams or impedes the water in such a manner as to back it on his neighbor above, he is liable to an action; for no one has a right to alter the level of the water, either where it enters, or where it leaves his property. 9 Co. 59; 1 B. & Ald. 258; 1 Wils. R. 178; 6 East, R. 203; 1 S. & Stu. 190.; 4 Day, R. 244; 7 Cowen, R. 266; 1 Rawle, R. 218; 5 N. R. Rep. 232; 9 Mass. R. 316; 7 Pick. R. 198; 4 Mason, R. 400; 1 Rawle, R. 27; 2 John. Ch. R. 162, 463; 1 Coxe's. R. 460. Vide, Dam; Inundation; Water-course; and 5 Ohio R. 322.
Backwoods (n. pl.) The forests or partly cleared grounds on the frontiers.
Backwoods (n.) A remote and undeveloped area [syn: backwoods, back country, boondocks, hinterland].
Backwoodsmen (n. pl. ) of Backwoodsman.
Backwoodsman (n.) A man living in the forest in or beyond the new settlements, especially on the western frontiers of the United States in former times. -- Fisher Ames.
Backwoodsman (n.) A man who lives on the frontier [syn: frontiersman, backwoodsman, mountain man].
Backworm (n.) A disease of hawks. See Filanders. -- Wright.
Compare: Filanders
Filanders (n. pl.) (Falconry) A disease in hawks, characterized by the presence of small threadlike worms, also of filaments of coagulated blood, from the rupture of a vein; -- called also backworm. -- Sir T. Browne.
Bacon (n.) The back and sides of a pig salted and smoked; formerly, the flesh of a pig salted or fresh.
Bacon+beetle+(Zool.),+A+beetle+({Dermestes+lardarius">Bacon beetle (Zool.), a beetle ({Dermestes lardarius) which, especially in the larval state, feeds upon bacon, woolens, furs, etc. See Dermestes.
To save one's bacon, To save one's self or property from harm or loss. [Colloq.] Bacon
Bacon, Roger Bacon (prop. n.) Roger Bacon. A celebrated English philosopher of the thirteenth century. Born at or near Ilchester, Somersetshire, about 1214: died probably at Oxford in 1294. He is credited with a recognition of the importance of experiment in answering questions about the natural world, recognized the potential importance of gunpowder and explosives generally, and wrote comments about several of the physical sciences that anticipated facts proven by experiment only much later.
The Franciscan monk, Roger Bacon (c. 1214 - 1294) was an important transitional figure in chemistry as he was trained in the alchemical tradition, but introduced many of the modern concepts of experimental science. Bacon believed that experiment was necessary to support theory, but for him the theory as presented in the Bible was true and the experiment only underlined that truth. One of Bacon's lasting contributions was his references to gunpowder, bringing this discovery to the general attention of literate Europeans. Gunpowder had been known for centuries in China, being used for fireworks and incendiary grenades. Gunpowder is a simple mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate (known generally as saltpeter). Saltpeter is a major component of guano (bird droppings) and may be recovered from privies where it will crystallize. By 1324, Europeans had discovered the art of using gunpowder to fire a projectile, marking the end of the period of castles and knights in armor. -- Prof. Tom Bitterwolf, Univ. of Idaho (Post-class notes, 1999).
Roger Bacon was Born at or near Ilchester, Somersetshire, about 1214: died probably at Oxford in 1294. He was educated at Oxford and Paris (whence he appears to have returned to England about 1250), and joined the Franciscan order. In 1257 he was sent by his superiors to Paris where he was kept in close confinement for several years. About 1265 he was invited by Pope Clement IV. to write a general treatise on the sciences, in answer to which he composed his chief work, the "Opus Majus." He was in England in 1268. In 1278 his writings were condemned as heretical by a council of his order, in consequence of which he was again placed in confinement. He was at liberty in 1292. Besides the "Opus Majus," his most notable works are "Opus Minus," "Opus Tertium," and "Compendium Philosophiae." See Siebert, "Roger Bacon," 1861; Held, "Roger Bacon's Praktische Philosophie," 1881; and L. Schneider, "Roger Bacon," 1873. -- Century Dict. 1906.
Dr. Whewell says that Roger Bacon's Opus Majus is "the encyclopedia and Novam Organon of the Thirteenth Century, a work equally wonderful with regard to its general scheme and to the special treatises with which the outlines of the plans are filled up.[sb] The professed object of the work is to urge the necessity of a reform in the mode of philosophizing, to set forth the reasons why knowledge had not made a greater progress, to draw back attention to the sources of knowledge which had been unwisely neglected, to discover other sources which were yet almost untouched, and to animate men in the undertaking by a prospect of the vast advantages which it offered.[sb] In the development of this plan all the leading portions of science are expanded in the most complete shape which they had at that time assumed; and improvements of a very wide and striking kind are proposed in some of the principal branches of study.[sb] Even if the work had no leading purposes it would have been highly valuable as a treasure of the most solid knowledge and soundest speculations of the time; even if it bad contained no such details it would have been a work most remarkable for its general views and scope." -- James J. Walsh (Thirteenth Greatest of Centuries, 1913. Bacon
Bacon , Francis Bacon (prop. n.) Francis Bacon. A celebrated English philosopher, jurist, and statesman, son of Sir Nicholas Bacon. Born at York House, London, Jan. 22, 1561: died at Highgate, April 9, 1626, created Baron Verulam July 12, 1618, and Viscount St. Albans Jan. 27, 1621: commonly, but incorrectly, called Lord Bacon. He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, April, 1573, to March, 1575, and at Gray's Inn 1575; became attached to the embassy of Sir Amias Paulet in France in 1576; was admitted to the bar in 1582; entered Parliament in 1584; was knighted in 1603; became solicitor-general in 1607, and attorney-general in 1613; was made a privy councilor in 1616, lord keeper in 1617, and lord chancellor in 1618; and was tried in 1621 for bribery, condemned, fined, and removed from office. A notable incident of his career was his connection with the Earl of Essex, which began in July, 1591, remained an intimate friendship until the fall of Essex (1600-01), and ended in Bacon's active efforts to secure the conviction of the earl for treason. (See Essex.) His great fame rests upon his services as a reformer of the methods of scientific investigation; and though his relation to the progress of knowledge has been exaggerated and misunderstood, his reputation as one of the chief founders of modern inductive science is well grounded. His chief works are the "Advancement of Learning," published in English as "The Two Books of Francis Bacon of the Proficience and Advancement of Learning Divine and Human," in 1605; the "Novum organum sive indicia vera de interpretatione naturae," published in Latin, 1620, as a "second part" of the (incomplete) "Instauratio magna"; the "De dignitate et augmentis scientiarum," published in Latin in 1623; "Historia Ventorum" (1622), "Historia Vitae et Mortis" (1623), "Historia Densi et Rari" (posthumously, 1658), "Sylva Sylvarum" (posthumously, 1627), "New Atlantis," "Essays" (1597, 1612, 1625), "De Sapientia Veterum" (1609), "Apothegms New and Old," "History of Henry VII." (1622). Works edited by Ellis, Spedding, and Heath (7 vols. 1857); Life by Spedding (7 vols. 1861, 2 vols. 1878). See Shakspere. -- Century Dict. 1906.
Bacon (n.) Back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually sliced thin and fried.
Bacon (n.) English scientist and Franciscan monk who stressed the importance of experimentation; first showed that air is required for combustion and first used lenses to correct vision (1220-1292) [syn: Bacon, Roger Bacon].
Bacon (n.) English statesman and philosopher; precursor of British empiricism; advocated inductive reasoning (1561-1626) [syn: Bacon, Francis Bacon, Sir Francis Bacon, Baron Verulam, 1st Baron Verulam, Viscount St. Albans].
Bacon -- U.S. County in Georgia
Population (2000): 10103
Housing Units (2000): 4464
Land area (2000): 284.949373 sq. miles (738.015457 sq. km)
Water area (2000): 0.968859 sq. miles (2.509334 sq. km)
Total area (2000): 285.918232 sq. miles (740.524791 sq. km)
Located within: Georgia (GA), FIPS 13
Location: 31.553477 N, 82.458418 W
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Bacon, GA
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Bacon County, GA
Baconian (a.) Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon, or to his system of philosophy.
Baconian (n.) One who adheres to the philosophy of Lord Bacon.
Baconian (n.) One who maintains that Lord Bacon is the author of the works commonly attributed to Shakespeare.
Baconian method, The inductive method. See Induction.