backstop
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back·stop
(băk′stŏp′)n.
1. Baseball
a. A screen or fence used to prevent the ball from being thrown or hit far behind or to the sides of home plate.
b. A catcher.
2. Something that supports or bolsters.
tr.v. back·stopped, back·stop·ping, back·stops
1. To serve as a backstop for.
2.
a. To support or bolster: "The firm lacks a topflight strategic-consulting arm to backstop its technology gurus" (Alex Beam).
b. To substitute for (another) in an emergency.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
backstop
(ˈbækˌstɒp)n
1. (Ball Games, other than specified) sport a screen or fence to prevent balls leaving the playing area
2. (Rowing) a block or catch to prevent excessive backward movement, such as one on the sliding seat of a rowing boat
vb (tr) , -stops, -stopping or -stopped
US to provide with backing or support
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
back•stop
(ˈbækˌstɒp)n., v. -stopped, -stop•ping. n.
1. a wall, wire screen, or the like, serving to prevent a ball from going beyond the normal playing area.
2. any support, safeguard, or reinforcement.
v.t. 3. to act as a backstop to.
[1810–20]
back′stop`per, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
backstop
Past participle: backstopped
Gerund: backstopping
| Imperative |
|---|
| backstop |
| backstop |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. |  backstop - (baseball) the person who plays the position of catcherbaseball, baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; "there was a baseball game on every empty lot"; "there was a desire for National League ball in the area"; "play ball!" softball game, softball - a game closely resembling baseball that is played on a smaller diamond and with a ball that is larger and softer infielder - (baseball) a person who plays a position in the infield |
| 2. |  backstop - (baseball) a fence or screen (as behind home plate) to prevent the ball from traveling out of the playing fieldbaseball, baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; "there was a baseball game on every empty lot"; "there was a desire for National League ball in the area"; "play ball!" | |
| 3. | backstop - a precaution in case of an emergency; "he acted as a backstop in case anything went wrong" precaution, safeguard, guard - a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.; "he put an ice pack on the injury as a precaution"; "an insurance policy is a good safeguard"; "we let our guard down" | |
| Verb | 1. |  backstop - act as a backstop baseball, baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; "there was a baseball game on every empty lot"; "there was a desire for National League ball in the area"; "play ball!" play - participate in games or sport; "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.