Backbone

Definitions

1. The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
   countable
2. Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.
   countable, figuratively
3. Courage, fortitude, or strength.
   figuratively, uncountable

Equivalents

41 more languages

العربيةالعمود الفقريّدِعَامَةشجاعةصلبعمود فقري+ 2 more

Azərbaycan dilionurğaözək

Българскигръбнакосно́ва

Bosanskihrbatkičmakralješnicakralježnicaкичмаосновапотпорахрбат+ 5 more

Catalàcolumna vertebralcoratgeespina dorsal

Češtinapater

Cymraegasgwrn cefn

Danskrygrad

Ελληνικάαγκάθαραχοκοκαλιάσπονδυλική στήλη

Esperantovertebraro

فارسیستون فقرات

Suomiselkärankaselkäruoto

Gàidhligcnàimh an dromacùl

Galegocarrelocerrizocolumna vertebralespiñazolombeloserrapioserrón+ 4 more

עבריתשדרה

हिन्दीरीढ़

Hrvatskihrbatkičmakralješnicakralježnicaкичмаосновапотпорахрбат+ 5 more

Magyargerincgerincoszlophátgerincjellemtartás+ 2 more

Հայերենհիմքողնաշար

Bahasa Indonesiatiangtulang punggung

Íslenskahryggur

Italianobackbonebasecolonna vertebralecoraggiorachidespina dorsalestruttura portante+ 4 more

日本語中堅呂土性骨背骨脊柱脊椎膂風骨+ 5 more

ქართულიფხახერხემალი

ភាសាខ្មែរឆ្អឹងខ្នង

Latviešumugurkauls

Македонски’рбеткичмапотпора

Bahasa Melayutulang belakang

Nederlandsruggengraat

Polskicharakterkość pacierzowakręgosłupstos pacierzowytrzon+ 2 more

Portuguêsbasecoluna vertebralespinhaespinha dorsalfirmeza+ 2 more

Românăcoloană vertebralășira spinării

Русскийкостя́косновапозвоно́чникстерженьхребе́т+ 2 more

Slovenščinahrbtenica

Српскиhrbatkičmakralješnicakralježnicaкичмаосновапотпорахрбат+ 5 more

Svenskaryggrad

ไทยกระดูกสันหลัง

Tagaloggulugodguluguran

Türkçeomurga

Українськакістякхребет

Tiếng Việtchí khícốt cáncột trụtrụ cộtxương sống+ 2 more

Examples

“Before automobiles, railroads were a backbone of commerce.”

“Undoubtedly it can be said that the humble 0-6-0 has been the backbone for general service, or general utility on British railways right from their earliest days, and is likely to remain⟳ so.”

“With little regular employment available in East Kent the backbone of the Kent Coast passenger traffic is therefore the commuters, the not inconsiderable numbers of people who travel⟳ each day to their work⟳ in Faversham, Sittingbourne, the Medway Towns and most of all, London.”

“East [Street] and West Street form⟳ a single thoroughfare running as a backbone through the village, flanked by neat, painted cottages of predominantly 18th-century brick.”

“The San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) and other community-based organizations that "provide⟳ backbone and leadership" in AIDS services are "reeling under the impact of growing case loads," said Pat Christen, SFAF's new director.”

“When operating on customer MAC (C-MAC) and service MAC (S-MAC) addresses, PBB uses a new backbone MAC (B-MAC) address. The B-MAC address is added at the edge of the PBB network, that is administered by a carrier VPN or a carrier-of-carriers VPN.”

“He would make⟳ a good manager, if he had a little more backbone.”

“His appearance was certainly that of a hairdresser's dummy; but in the great demoralization of the land⟳ he kept up his appearance. That's backbone. His starched collars and got-up shirt-fronts were achievements of character. He had been out nearly three years; and, later, I could not help⟳ asking him how he managed to sport such linen.”

“[Indiana:] I hate⟳ snakes, Jock! I hate⟳ 'em! [Jock:] Come⟳ on! Show⟳ a little backbone, will ya!”

CEFR level