different between representative vs backer

English

Etymology

From Old French representatif.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???p???z?nt(?t)?v/
• Hyphenation: rep?re?sen?ta?tive

Adjective

representative (comparative more representative, superlative most representative)

1. Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
   • c. 1977, Carl Parker (attributed quote)

     If you took all the fools out of the legislature, it wouldn't be a representative body anymore.

2. Representing, showing a likeness.

Translations

Noun

representative (plural representatives)

1. A delegate.
   1. Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body. [from 17th c.]

   2. (generally) One who speaks for or acts on behalf of another in a particular (especially official) capacity. [from 17th c.]

   3. (law) An heir. [from 17th c.]
      • 1751, Tobias Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, I.1:

        This pathetic remonstrance had the desired effect upon his representative, who spared no pains to fulfill the request of the deceased […] .

   4. (US, politics) Specifically, a member of the US House of Representatives. [from 18th c.]

   5. A company agent who visits potential purchasers; a salesman. [from 20th c.]
2. Something standing for something else.
   1. Something representing or standing for another; a symbol, an embodiment. [from 17th c.]
   2. Something (especially a living organism]] regarded as typical of its class; a type. [from 17th c.]
   3. A substitute or analogue. [from 17th c.]

Synonyms

• rep
• See also Thesaurus:deputy

Derived terms

• legal representative

Related terms

• House of Representatives
• represent
• representative body
• Member of Parliament

Translations

Further reading

• "representative" in Raymond Williams, Keywords (revised), 1983, Fontana Press, page 266.

Norwegian Bokmål

Adjective

representative

1. inflection of representativ:
   1. definite singular
   2. plural

Norwegian Nynorsk

Adjective

representative

1. inflection of representativ:
   1. definite singular
   2. plural

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