different between backer vs backfriend

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?bæk?(?)/
• Rhymes: -æk?(r)

Etymology 1

back +? -er

Noun

backer (plural backers)

1. One who, or that which, backs; especially one who backs an entrant in a contest, or who supports an enterprise by funding it.

Translations

Etymology 2

Adjective

backer

1. (phonetics) comparative form of back: more back
   • 2005, Martin J. Ball and Nicole Müller, Phonetics for Communication Disorders, p. 174:

     /e?/ This diphthong is a glide from mid front tongue position toward a higher, backer position similar to that of /?/.

Anagrams

• reback

English

Alternative forms

• back-friend

Etymology

From back +? friend.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?bæk?f??nd/

Noun

backfriend (plural backfriends)

1. (Britain, dialectal, obsolete) A false friend; a secret enemy.
   • c. 1702, Roger L'Estrange, Fables

     Set the restless importunities of talebearers and backfriends against fair words and professions

   • Far is our church from encroaching upon the civil power; as some who are back-friends to both would maliciously insinuate.
2. (Britain, dialectal) A friend at one's back; a backer; one who does his best for another; a supporter.
   • 1708, Michael Bruce, Good news in evil times for fainting believers, or The summ of a lecture upon Jeremiah 45 chapter; together with another lecture on the 28 chapter of Matthew, page 64

     Now well's us for our Back-friend, he will ay our Cause
3. (Britain, dialectal) A hangnail.