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backbiter. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
backbiter, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
backbiter in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
backbiter you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From Middle English bakbitere, bakbytere, bacbitere, equivalent to backbite + -er.
Pronunciation
Noun
backbiter (plural backbiters)
- A person who says nasty things about another person behind the second person's back: that is, out of their sight and hearing.
1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author’s Oeconomy and Happy Life among the Houyhnhnms. ”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. , volume II, London: Benj Motte, , →OCLC, part IV (A Voyage to the Houyhnhnms), page 301:[…] here were no Gibers, Cenſurers, Backbiters, Pick-pockets, Highwaymen, Houſebreakers, Attorneys, Bawds, Buffoons, Gameſters, Politicians, Wits, ſplenetick tedious Talkers, Controvertiſts, Raviſhers, Murderers, Robbers, Virtuoſo's; […]