BACKBONE


Meaning of BACKBONE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ -ˈbōn, -ˌbōn ]

noun

Date: 14th century

1. : spinal column , spine

2. : something that resembles a backbone: as

a. : a chief mountain ridge, range, or system

b. : the foundation or most substantial or sturdiest part of something

c. : the longest chain of atoms or groups of atoms in a usually long molecule (as a polymer or protein)

d. : the primary high-speed hardware and transmission lines of a telecommunications network (as the Internet)

3. : firm and resolute character

4. : spine 1c

• back·boned -ˌbōnd adjective

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.