background
/ˈbæk.(ɡ)ɹaʊnd/ noun A2- One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past. · The lawyer had a background in computer science.
- A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.
- An extra who appears in the background, with no speaking role.
- Information relevant to the current situation about past events; history.
- A less important feature of scenery (as opposed to foreground). · There was tons of noise in the background.· The photographer let us pick a background for the portrait.
- The image or color over which a computer's desktop items are shown (e.g. icons or application windows).
- A type of activity on a computer that is not normally visible to the user. · The antivirus program is running in the background.
Plural backgrounds
From the library
“No,” said the banker; “I have appeared rather ridiculous since that affair of Benedetto, so I remain in the background.”
Gilbert was merely smiling with appreciation of the whole affair in general and of the effect produced by Anne’s slender white form and spiritual face against a background of palms in particular.
His face was clearly reflected in the glass of the window where the shutter formed a background.
There, outlined as black as an ebony statue on that shining background, I saw the figure of a man upon the tor.
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