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backups - 2 dictionary results

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, esp. 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.
6. Bowling. a ball that curves in a direction corresponding to the bowling hand of the bowler.
–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.

Origin:
1775–85, Americanism; n. use of v. phrase back up
back·up   (bāk'ŭp')   
n.  
    1. A reserve or substitute.
    2. Computer Science A copy of a program or file that is stored separately from the original.
    3. Support or backing.
    4. Music A background accompaniment, as for a performer.
    1. Support or backing.
    2. Music A background accompaniment, as for a performer.
  1. An overflow or accumulation caused by clogging or by a stoppage: a backup in the sink; a backup of traffic at the drawbridge.
adj.  Extra; standby: a backup pilot.
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