Back"ground` (&?;), n.
[Back, a. + ground.]
1. Ground in the
rear or behind, or in
the distance, as opposed to the
foreground, or the ground in
front.
2. (Paint.) The space which is behind and
subordinate to a portrait or
group of figures.
&fist; The distance in a
picture is usually divided into foreground, middle distance, and background. Fairholt.
3. Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a
background of red hangings.
4. A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
I fancy there was a background of grinding and waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly finished . . . performance.
Mrs.
Alexander.
A husband somewhere in the background.
Thackeray.
To place in the
background, to make of little consequence.
Hear it pronounced