different between backstep vs backstop

English

Etymology

back +? step

Noun

backstep (plural backsteps)

1. A step backwards
2. (geology) An abrupt subsidence or change in deposition preserved in the sedimentary record due to a marine transgression.
3. (fluid mechanics) Flow over a backward-facing step.
4. The process of going back and finishing a specification that was incomplete at the start of a process, once enough progress has been made to know the full details.
5. A platform at the rear of a firetruck where a firefighter can stand.

Verb

backstep (third-person singular simple present backsteps, present participle backstepping, simple past and past participle backstepped)

1. To take a step backwards
2. To return to a previous place or time.
3. To retract or take back.
4. To be arranged in steps going backwards.
5. (geology, of a shoreline) To recede in an abrupt fashion due to marine transgression.
6. To finish a specification that was initially incomplete once enough progress has been made to know all the details.

Anagrams

• step back, stepback

English

Alternative forms

• back-stop

Etymology

back +? stop

Pronunciation

Noun

backstop (plural backstops)

1. A thing or a person put in the rear or in the back of something to reinforce, hold, support.
2. A default arrangement that holds if all else fails.
   • The Express, 7 June 2018

     Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar, this morning, said a time-limited backstop would be unacceptable, and has previously promised to vote down the UK’s Brexit withdrawal deal unless it features a satisfactory backstop.

   • The Irish Times, 17 November 2018

     "The 2½ years since have been about hammering home these points in any European capital that would listen. And in spite of capacity-sapping talks on the first point – Brexit, border and backstop – the Department of Foreign Affairs and other government departments have been working quietly to make good on the second.

3. (baseball) A wall or fence behind home plate.
4. (baseball slang) A catcher; the position of catcher.
5. (rounders) The player who stands immediately behind the striking base.
6. (cricket, dated) The longstop.
7. (cricket, dated) The wicket-keeper.
8. (espionage) Something serving to bolster or support a cover story etc.
   • 1976, Joseph Burkholder Smith, Portrait of a Cold Warrior (page 116)

     […] to be set up in Indonesia with a phony book and school supplies company established in New York City as a backstop.

   • 1990, Bruce W. Watson, Susan M. Watson, Gerald W. Hopple, United States intelligence: an encyclopedia (page 1974)

     Closely representing an alibi, creating a backstop could involve such measures as having people available to verify the details of an agent's cover story.

Coordinate terms

• (thing or a person to support): rearguard

Translations

Verb

backstop (third-person singular simple present backstops, present participle backstopping, simple past and past participle backstopped)

1. (transitive) To serve as backstop for.
2. (transitive) To bolster, support.

Translations

Anagrams

• back post, backpost, postback