back step

Step \Step\, n. [AS. staepe. See {Step}, v. i.]
   1. An advance or movement made by one removal of the foot; a
      pace.
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   2. A rest, or one of a set of rests, for the foot in
      ascending or descending, as a stair, or a round of a
      ladder.
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            The breadth of every single step or stair should be
            never less than one foot.             --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.
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   3. The space passed over by one movement of the foot in
      walking or running; as, one step is generally about three
      feet, but may be more or less. Used also figuratively of
      any kind of progress; as, he improved step by step, or by
      steps.
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            To derive two or three general principles of motion
            from phenomena, and afterwards to tell us how the
            properties and actions of all corporeal things
            follow from those manifest principles, would be a
            very great step in philosophy.        --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.
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   4. A small space or distance; as, it is but a step.
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   5. A print of the foot; a footstep; a footprint; track.
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   6. Gait; manner of walking; as, the approach of a man is
      often known by his step.
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   7. Proceeding; measure; action; an act.
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            The reputation of a man depends on the first steps
            he makes in the world.                --Pope.
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            Beware of desperate steps. The darkest day,
            Live till to-morrow, will have passed away.
                                                  --Cowper.
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            I have lately taken steps . . . to relieve the old
            gentleman's distresses.               --G. W. Cable.
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   8. pl. Walk; passage.
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            Conduct my steps to find the fatal tree. --Dryden.
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   9. pl. A portable framework of stairs, much used indoors in
      reaching to a high position.
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   10. (Naut.) In general, a framing in wood or iron which is
       intended to receive an upright shaft; specif., a block of
       wood, or a solid platform upon the keelson, supporting
       the heel of the mast.
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   11. (Mach.)
       (a) One of a series of offsets, or parts, resembling the
           steps of stairs, as one of the series of parts of a
           cone pulley on which the belt runs.
       (b) A bearing in which the lower extremity of a spindle
           or a vertical shaft revolves.
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   12. (Mus.) The intervak between two contiguous degrees of the
       csale.
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   Note: The word tone is often used as the name of this
         interval; but there is evident incongruity in using
         tone for indicating the interval between tones. As the
         word scale is derived from the Italian scala, a ladder,
         the intervals may well be called steps.
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   13. (Kinematics) A change of position effected by a motion of
       translation. --W. K. Clifford.
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   14. (Fives) At Eton College, England, a shallow step dividing
       the court into an inner and an outer portion.
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   {Back step}, {Half step}, etc. See under {Back}, {Half}, etc.
      

   {Step grate}, a form of grate for holding fuel, in which the
      bars rise above one another in the manner of steps.

   {To take steps}, to take action; to move in a matter.
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Back \Back\, a.
   1. Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the
      back door; back settlements.
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   2. Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent.
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   3. Moving or operating backward; as, back action.
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   {Back blocks}, Australian pastoral country which is remote
      from the seacoast or from a river. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
      

   {Back charges}, charges brought forward after an account has
      been made up.

   {Back filling} (Arch.), the mass of materials used in filling
      up the space between two walls, or between the inner and
      outer faces of a wall, or upon the haunches of an arch or
      vault.

   {Back pressure}. (Steam Engine) See under {Pressure}.

   {Back rest}, a guide attached to the slide rest of a lathe,
      and placed in contact with the work, to steady it in
      turning.

   {Back slang}, a kind of slang in which every word is written
      or pronounced backwards; as, nam for man.

   {Back stairs}, stairs in the back part of a house; private
      stairs. Also used adjectively. See {Back stairs},
      {Backstairs}, and {Backstair}, in the Vocabulary.

   {Back step} (Mil.), the retrograde movement of a man or body
      of men, without changing front.

   {Back stream}, a current running against the main current of
      a stream; an eddy.

   {To take the back track}, to retrace one's steps; to retreat.
      [Colloq.]
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