backbone
Pronunciation: /ˈbækˌbəʊn/
The English word “backbone” has 3 meanings listed here.
noun
- 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.
- Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.
- Courage, fortitude, or strength.
Etymology
From Middle English bakbon, bakebon, bac-bon; equivalent to back + bone. Compare the semantically analogous English ridgebone.
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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.