backwash
UK /ˈbæk.wɒʃ/ · US /ˈbæk.wɑʃ/ noun, verb
Forms backwashes backwashing backwashed
- noun (nautical) A backward flow of water, as from oars, a propeller, breaking waves, etc.
- noun The similar flow of air from an aircraft engine.
- noun The result or consequence of an event; an aftermath.
- noun The saliva, spit or food particles that have flowed back into a drink after someone has drunk from it.
- noun (economics) The situation where economic growth in one area harms other areas by attracting people and business away from those areas.
- noun An obscure place; a backwater.
- noun (education) Synonym of washback.
- verb To operate a water filter in the reverse direction in order to clean it.
- verb (transitive) To affect with backwash.
- verb To clean the oil from wool after combing.
Synonyms
Etymology
From back + wash.
Webster’s 1913
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “backwash”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details