catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  background \back"ground`\, n. [Back, a. + ground.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as
        opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Paint.) The space which is behind and subordinate to a
        portrait or group of figures.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The distance in a picture is usually divided into
           foreground, middle distance, and background.
           --Fairholt.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a
        background of red hangings.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              I fancy there was a background of grinding and
              waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly
              finished . . . performance.           --Mrs.
                                                    Alexander.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              A husband somewhere in the background. --Thackeray.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. 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.
        [PJC]
  
     6. 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.
        [PJC]
  
     7. (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.
        [PJC]
  
     8. (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.
        [PJC]
  
     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].
        [1913 Webster +PJC]