backbone

[Eng. back; -bone.] 1. Lit. The spine; the spinal column; it consists of numerous vertebræ. [VERTEBRA.] "The backbone should be divided into many verte. bres for commodious bending, and not to be one entire rigid bone."-Ray. 2. Figuratively: (1) Anything resembling a backbone. (2) Firmne , resolution, stability of cha racter.