01 n. Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
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1.
Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
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2.
The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.(Paint.)
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3.
Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a background of red hangings.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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7.
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.(Science)
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8.
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.(Journalism)
Phrases & compounds
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 —
the status of an interview which must not be quoted in a publication, even without attribution. Compare background{8}.