backup

[bak-uhp] Example Sentences Origin

back·up

[bak-uhp]
noun
1.
a person or thing that supports or reinforces another.
2.
a musician or singer or group of musicians or singers accompanying a soloist: a singer with a three-man backup that plays cello, bass, and guitar.
3.
an overflow or accumulation due to stoppage, malfunctioning, etc.: a sewage backup; a backup of cars at the tollbooth.
4.
a person, plan, device, etc., kept in reserve to serve as a substitute, if needed.
5.
Computers.
a.
a copy or duplicate version, especially of a file, program, or entire computer system, retained for use in the event that the original is in some way rendered unusable.
b.
a procedure to follow in such an event.
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6.
Bowling. a ball that curves in a direction corresponding to the bowling hand of the bowler.
COLLAPSE
adjective
7.
(of a person, plan, device, etc.) held in reserve as a substitute if needed: a backup driver; a backup generator.
8.
performing a secondary or supporting function: A drummer and guitarist are the singer's backup musicians.

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Backup is always a great word to know.
So is download. Does it mean:
to transfer software, data or character sets from a distant to a nearby computer or from a computer to a peripheral device
a computer program that translates a program written in a high-level language into another, usually machine, language

Origin:
1775–85, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase back up

back up, backup.


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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To Backup
Example Sentences
  • Try asking your cell provider for backup on your data usage charge then measure the awkward silence that follows.
  • Backup tapes kept off-site preserved the records of deposits and balances.
  • He hunched over the radio for details as he buckled on his gun belt, intending to drive to the scene to provide backup.
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

backup
see back up.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary

backup definition

operating system
("back up" when used as a verb) A spare copy of a file, file system, or other resource for use in the event of failure or loss of the original.
The term commonly refers to a copy of the files on a computer's disks, made periodically and kept on magnetic tape or other removable medium (also called a "dump").
This essential precaution is neglected by most new computer users until the first time they experience a disk crash or accidentally delete the only copy of the file they have been working on for the last six months. Ideally the backup copies should be kept at a different site or in a fire safe since, though your hardware may be insured against fire, the data on it is almost certainly neither insured nor easily replaced.
See also backup software, differential backup, incremental backup, full backup. Compare archive, source code management.
(2004-03-16)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © Denis Howe 2010 http://foldoc.org
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