backwater

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   The water held back by a dam or other obstruction.

   • […] The backwater separates the main line from Hinksey marshalling yards
2. 2

   A remote place

   A remote place: somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc; any field of endeavor that figuratively resembles such a place.

   • Near-synonyms: (place) jerkwater town, one-horse town, Podunk; see also Thesaurus:remote place
   • an academic backwater
   • Usually, however, this line, which once had a monopoly of all the traffic to Bournemouth, is a quiet backwater carrying a purely local traffic.
3. 3

   A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat

   A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water

4. ›+ 4 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Water used in the papermaking process. Recycled to reduce usage of fresh water, and…

      Water used in the papermaking process. Recycled to reduce usage of fresh water, and usually containing residual amounts of chemicals and fibres.

   2. 5

      To row or paddle a backwater stroke.

   3. 6

      To vacillate on a long-held position.

   4. 7

      A locality in the Armidale council area, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia.

The neighborhood