different between backfill vs replace

English

Alternative forms

• back-fill

Etymology

From back +? fill.

Verb

backfill (third-person singular simple present backfills, present participle backfilling, simple past and past participle backfilled)

1. To refill a hole with the material dug out of it.
2. (archaeology) To refill an excavation unit to restore the former ground surface and/or to preserve the unit and make it recognizable as having been excavated.
   • We backfilled the cistern with pea gravel to discourage its use as a refuse container.
3. (US) To provide reserve support.
4. (US) To replenish or restock due to attrition or loss.

   The company backfilled Joe's position after he was terminated.

Noun

backfill (countable and uncountable, plural backfills)

1. The material that has been used to refill an excavation.
2. (US) Reserve support personnel.
3. (US) That which backfills; a replacement.
4. (literature) Material in a story set earlier in the past, providing history or context for the current action.

Derived terms

• backfill bias

English

Etymology

re- +? place

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???ple?s/
• Rhymes: -e?s

Verb

replace (third-person singular simple present replaces, present participle replacing, simple past and past participle replaced)

1. (transitive) To restore to a former place, position, condition, etc.; to put back
   • 1622, Francis Bacon, History of the Reign of King Henry VII

     The earl...was replaced in his government.
2. (transitive) To refund; to repay; to pay back

3. (transitive) To supply or substitute an equivalent for

4. (transitive) to take over the position or role from.

   • Next Wednesday, four women and 15 men on the Crown Nominations Commission will gather for two days of prayer and horsetrading to replace Rowan Williams as archbishop of Canterbury.

5. (transitive) To take the place of; to be used instead of
   • 1845, William Whewell, The Elements of Morality: Including Polity

     This duty of right intention does not replace or supersede the duty of consideration.

6. (transitive) To demolish (a building) and build an updated form of that building in its place.
7. (transitive, rare) To place again.
8. (transitive, rare) To put in a new or different place.

Synonyms

• (to supply or substitute an equivalent for): exchange, swap; See also Thesaurus:switch

Derived terms

• replaceable
• replacee
• replacement
• replacer
• replacing switch
• replacive

See also

• eliminate

Translations

References

replace in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

Anagrams

• percale

French

Verb

replace

1. first-person singular present indicative of replacer
2. third-person singular present indicative of replacer
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of replacer
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of replacer
5. second-person singular imperative of replacer