backbench

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   relating to the back benches in parliament

   • He prefers to be a backbench MP.
2. 2

   Pertaining to the preparation of a donor organ prior to transplantation.

   • Cold preservation is a component of the donor organ resection procedure, not the backbench preparation.
   • Regardless of the origin of the kidney graft, LD or deceased donor, backbench preparation for robotic implantation follows some specific steps.
   • The transplant procedure involves obtaining the graft to be transplanted (from a cadaver or living donor), backbench work (special preparation of the graft before transplantation), and transplantation into the recipient.
3. 3

   Secondary or inactive.

   • In contrast, the less able, the backbench players, tend to stick around, and if they're in a position of power, they are also inclined to hire and promote other also-rans or, worse, people incapable of even finishing the race.
   • In view of this, it is clear why internet service providers (ISPs) are inclined to play a backbench role when it comes to combating file sharing.
4. ›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A bench at the back of a room or seating area.

      • But no one was waiting at the backbench and the older fellow looked as if he had dug in to stay.
      • Some other playgoers are supping on the day's pottage at the backbenches nearby, some with a glass of reddish everyday plonk.
   2. 5

      A position of secondary importance.

      • Niger, as a country belongs to the backbench of African soccer.
      • In other words, they were put on the proverbial backbench.
      • So far we have made the Maoist experience sit at an analytical distance in a conceptual backbench, for our attention has been focused on the more recent happenings that have given rise to the current age.
   3. 6

      A group of top-level journalists who jointly review submissions and decide on the layout…

      A group of top-level journalists who jointly review submissions and decide on the layout and emphasis of the newspaper.

      • A good spread could be allotted on a news page if the dead person was deemed worthy by the powerful and sceptical members of the “backbench” of the senior sub-editors.
      • The attitude of the Observer backbench when I filed the story the following sunday showed how happy my sub-editing colleagues from the previous winter were with my feat.
      • After his copy had dropped, MacKenzie had gone over to the backbench and instructed them: 'Don't change a word of this. Then if he's got it wrong the little fucker won't be able to wriggle out of this one!'

The neighborhood

• neighborbackbencher