different between backbone vs lifeblood

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

Alternative forms

• life blood, life's blood

Etymology

From life +? blood. Compare English heart-blood (“lifeblood”).

Noun

lifeblood (usually uncountable, plural lifebloods)

1. Blood that is needed for continued life; blood regarded as the seat of life.

   Hypernym: blood

   • circa 1980, George Spelvin, Petticoat Loose, Act II, Scene 1, published in George Spelvin's theatre book, volume 3:

     You didn't come to me in time. And by the time you came to me that fool of a doctor had bled and leeched the lifeblood out of Timmy.

2. (figuratively) That which is required for continued existence or function.

   Synonym: essence

Translations

References

• “lifeblood”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–present.