Backhoe
a hydraulic excavating machine consisting of a tractor having an attached hinged boom, with a bucket with movable jaws on the end of the boom.
Contemporary Examples
Leon drove the van down a dirt trail and stopped near the backhoe, which had finished its digging and was now just waiting.
John Grisham’s First Short Story: Part Two John Grisham October 25, 2009
Behind the church there was a cemetery, and at the far end of it a backhoe had just begun digging the grave.
John Grisham’s First Short Story: Part Two John Grisham October 25, 2009
Sen. Robert F. Kennedy looked on as Pollard began to disinter the president with the backhoe.
What Became of JFK’s Gravedigger? Michael Daly November 21, 2013
First they set fire to a backhoe and a car, burning them to shells.
Who’s Burning Palestinian Mosques in the West Bank and Israel? Dan Ephron December 12, 2011
n.
by 1928, from back (n. or adj.) + hoe (n.).
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- Backhouse
a building behind the main building, often serving a subsidiary purpose. a privy; outhouse. Historical Examples Woldest thou not driue them in to the contrey, & put the one to the backhouse, the other to the plowe. The Education of Children Desiderius Erasmus Broadfoot, backhouse, and Fenwick rallied and reanimated them. Our Soldiers W.H.G. Kingston […]
- Back in harness
see: in harness
- Back in the saddle
back in the saddle adjective phrase Operational again; restored to function: The economy is back in the saddle/ I have aspirations to get back in the saddle [1940s+; fr a popular cowboy song ”Back in the Saddle Again”]
- Back issue
noun a previous issue of a periodical, esp. a magazine Examples Back issues are available but cost more than they did originally. Usage Note UK back number
- Backlash
a sudden, forceful backward movement; recoil. a strong or violent reaction, as to some social or political change: a backlash of angry feeling among Southern conservatives within the party. Machinery. the space between the thickness of a gear tooth and the width of the space between teeth in the mating gear, designed to allow for […]