Word Study
backwash
CIDE DICTIONARY
backwash, v. t.
- To clean the oil from (wool) after combing. Ash. [1913 Webster]
- To clean (a filter, a chromatography column, a water softener, etc.) by passing liquid through in the reverse of the normal direction of flow. This procedure dislodges particles which clog the pores of the filter or column packing, removing them from the filter or column. [PJC]
backwash, n.
- The flow of water propelled backward by the propeller, paddle wheel, or oars of a boat. [PJC]
- The backward flowing air within the wash of an airplane, caused mostly by the engine. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
backwash, n.
1 a receding waves created by the motion of a ship etc. b a backward current of air created by a moving aircraft.
2 repercussions.
1 a receding waves created by the motion of a ship etc. b a backward current of air created by a moving aircraft.
2 repercussions.
THESAURUS
backwash
Charybdis, Maelstrom, back stream, backcountry, backflow, backlash, backwater, backwoods, boondocks, bush, clout, condensation trail, contrail, countercurrent, counterflow, counterflux, eddy, exhaust, force, gulf, gurge, hinterland, impact, impress, impression, imprint, maelstrom, mark, print, reaction, recoil, reflex, refluence, reflux, regurgitation, repercussion, response, sticks, stream, swirl, track, twirl, up-country, vapor trail, vortex, wake, wash, whirl, whirlpoolFor further exploring for "backwash" in Webster Dictionary Online