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backspace

noun
/ˈbækˌspeɪs/

Etymology

From back + space.

  1. derived from *(s)peh₂-✻
  2. derived from spatium
  3. derived from space
  4. inherited from space
  5. compounded as backspace — “back + space”

Definitions

  1. The key on a typewriter that moves the head one position backwards.

  2. A keyboard key used for removing a character behind the cursor, and moving the cursor one…

    A keyboard key used for removing a character behind the cursor, and moving the cursor one position backwards.

  3. A non-printable text character representing a backspace.

  4. ›+ 2 more definitions

    1. To remove a character behind a cursor.

      • So once you hit 'E', just backspace.

    2. To move a magnetic tape to a previous block.

The neighborhood

Derived

backspaceable, backspacer, destructive backspace

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for backspace. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA