back faller

[Eng. backfall; -er.] A backslider, an apostate. "Onias, with many like back fallers from God, fled into Egypte." Joye: Expos. of Daniel , ch. xi. băck'-friend, s. [Eng. back ; friend.] L. Of persons: 1. A so-called friend who, behind one's back, becomes an enemy. ( Eng .) "Far is our church from encroaching upon the civil power, as some, who are back friends to both, would maliciously insinuate."-South. 2. One who seconds or supports another; an abettor. ( Scotch .) "The people of God that's faithful to the cause has ay a good back - friend."-Mich. Bruce's Lectures, 60, 61. (Jamie son) II. Fig . Of things: A place of strength behind an army. (Monro: Exped., pt. ii., 140.) ( Jamie son .) băck-fû', 8. [Eng back , and Scotch fu ' , contracted from Eng. full .] As much as can be carried on the back. [Cf. BACK-BERINDE.] "A backfu of peals."-Blackwood's Mag., March, 1823, p. 317. (Jamie son.) back-gā-in, bắck-gā-ěn, participial adj. [Eng. back, and Scotch gain, gaen = going.] ( Scotch.) I. Of things: Going back; ebbing. (Used of the tide, .) II. Of persons: 1. Declining in health; ill-grown. 2. Declining in worldly circumstances. "The back gaen tenants fell about And couldna stand." The Hurst Rig, st., 48. (Jamie son) băck - găm' - mồn, băg - găm-môn, s. [A S. bec = back, and gamen = game, because, under certain circumstances, the pieces are taken up, and obliged to go back and reenter at the table ( N.E.D. ). This etymology is given by Strutt, Sports and Pastimes , bk. iv., ch. ii., and quoted with approval by Prof. Skeat.] 1. A game played by two persons on a table divided into as many portions, on which there are twenty-four black and white spaces, called "points." Each player has at his disposal fifteen dice, black or white, called "men," which he manœuvres upon the points. "A gentleman, with whom I am slightly Acquainted, lost in the Argyle Rooms sever a several you sand pounds at backgammon -Byron: English Bards and Scotch Reviewers (Note). 2. A special kind of win at this game. It consists in the winner carrying off all his men before the loser has carried his men to his own table.