backup English · revision 6754

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1910}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbækˌʌp/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a noun use of the phrasal verb [[back]] [[up]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ MWU dates the noun to 1910.^(MWU 2024) In North America it first meant the backward motion of a vehicle, in the early 20th century.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An accumulation of water or traffic behind an obstruction is a mid-20th-century North American sense.^(SOED 2002) A standby or reserve is from 1952 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and support or backing generally followed.^(SOED 2002) In computing, a duplicate copy of data kept in case the original is lost is from 1965.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) Musical accompaniment behind a lead performer is a further use.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1910 – first use (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * early 20th century – backward motion of a vehicle.^(SOED 2002)

+ * 1952 – a standby, a reserve.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1965 – in computing.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person or thing kept in reserve; a [[substitute]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A copy of computer data or files stored separately in case the original is lost.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Support or help: ''police called for backup''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(chiefly North American)'' An overflow or [[traffic jam]] caused by a blockage.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A background accompaniment for a singer or performer.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Kept in reserve; standby: ''a backup generator''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[back]]

+ * [[up]]

+ * [[setback]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}