backspace
/ˈbakspeɪs
/noun
1A key on a typewriter or computer keyboard used to cause the carriage or cursor to move backwards.I've been digging through pictures cursing myself for not documenting my work better, typing the details from my notes then suddenly, I broke the backspace key on my computer....
- I tapped on the keyboard, pressing the backspace key much more frequent than the other keys.
- The backspace and the delete keys don't work on my computer right now because my sister spilled honey all over it.
2A device on a video recorder or camcorder which produces a slight backward run between shots to eliminate disturbance caused by the interruption of the scanning process: [as modifier]: begin with a few seconds of static shot, remembering to allow for backspace time
verb [no object]
Move a typewriter carriage or computer cursor backwards.The < BS > markers show where I hit the BackSpace key - note that the text I was backspacing over remains in the log....
- I then peacefully backspaced through my email and re-wrote.
- The telltale signs: writing a few words, then furiously backspacing; paralysis of the hands; an overwhelming desire to check my e-mail, surf the Web, get a soda, anything but confront the blank screen.
