i Register
In some senses, backwater is marked as figuratively, idiomatic. Watch for register when choosing this word.
backwater
noun 4verb 2name 1
Collocations
5ADJ.
academic, larger, live, main, primitive
VERB + BACKWATER
lives
BACKWATER + NOUN
area, papua
PREP.
in, up
ADV.
somewhat, usually
Definitions
noun
1
The water held back by a dam or other obstruction.
[…] The backwater separates the main line from Hinksey marshalling yards
2
A remote place: somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc; any field of endeavor that figuratively resembles such a place.
Near-synonyms: (place) jerkwater town, one-horse town, Podunk; see also Thesaurus:remote place
an academic backwater
3
A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water
4
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.
verb
1
To row or paddle a backwater stroke.
2
To vacillate on a long-held position.
name
1
A locality in the Armidale council area, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
[…] The backwater separates the main line from Hinksey marshalling yards
Wiktionary02
Near-synonyms: (place) jerkwater town, one-horse town, Podunk; see also Thesaurus:remote place
Wiktionary03
an academic backwater
Wiktionary04
Tom lives in a backwater area.
Tatoeba · #151783005
Tom and Mary live in a backwater part of the country.
Tatoeba · #151783106
After his successes in America, the boss put him in a backwater for fear of being overtaken by him.
Tatoeba · #3972167Usage Notes
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