different between backbone vs backstrap

English

Etymology

From Middle English bakbon, bakebon, bac-bon, equivalent to back +? bone. Compare the semantically analogous Old English hry??b?n (“backbone; spine”), West Frisian rêchbonke (“backbone”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?bæk?b??n/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?bæk?bo?n/

Noun

backbone (countable and uncountable, plural backbones)

1. The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
2. (figuratively) Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.
3. (figuratively) Courage, fortitude, or strength.

Synonyms

• spine
• spinal column
• vertebral column
• See also Thesaurus:backbone

Translations

English

Etymology

back +? strap

Noun

backstrap (plural backstraps)

1. A pull strap extending the backstay of a boot or shoe.
2. The backbone of a book.
3. A loin of meat consisting of the muscle on each side of the spine.
4. An anchoring strap, passed around the waist or hips, for a small loom.
5. (firearms) The rearmost surface applied to the grip especially of a pistol below a possible beavertail.
6. (drugs) The rolling a marijuana cigarette in a certain fashion (clarification of this definition is needed)

   Synonym: backroll

   Antonym: frontstrap

Verb

backstrap (third-person singular simple present backstraps, present participle backstrapping, simple past and past participle backstrapped)

1. To apply or make into a backstrap.

References

• Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com (17 Aug. 2011)
• Backstrap loom.