释义 |
background I. \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ noun Usage: often attributive 1. a. : the ground, space, or its contents being or represented as being at the rear or behind the principal object or objects observed: as (1) : the rear part of a stage or its contents (as painted scenery) < as the curtain rises, a rustic festival is in progress in the background > (2) : the space or ground and its contents shown in a pictorial representation as being at the rear of the principal figure or figures < stands in a graceful pose against a background of peaceful stream and rolling hills > b. : the surface upon or against which the principal figures or parts of a two-dimensional representation or pattern are seen < a study of white flowers against a solid black background > 2. : a position away from that which holds the center of attention : an obscure, less prominent, or not readily noticed position or status < the parents stayed in the background during the children's party > < pushed into the background by the brilliance and glamor of his rival > 3. a. (1) : the natural, physical, or material conditions that form the setting within which something is viewed or experienced < attractive private dwellings, all set in a background of tropical luxuriance — Tom Marvel > < a hum of distant street noises made a gentle background to the strident tootings of the big … American cars — Mollie Panter-Downes > (2) : an harmonic or rhythmic accompaniment to a melodic line played or sung < a violin duet with a bare viola and cello harmonic background — Ralph Hill > b. (1) : the conditions, circumstances, ideas, or events that stand in an antecedent, causal, or intimate relation to any phenomenon or development : setting, milieu < made an exhaustive study of the background of the Crimean War > < the social and economic background of the Renaissance > < police probed into the background of the murder > (2) : factual and circumstantial information that is essential to full understanding of a particular problem or situation < take along a good standard book on British history to give you some background on what you'll be seeing — Richard Joseph > c. (1) : the environmental conditions or circumstances especially of childhood and youth that form or contribute to the formation of an individual's character, personality, and cultural makeup < Lincoln's pioneer background > < a family background of wealth, leisure, and cultivated tastes > < a German background on his mother's side > (2) : the area or areas of past experience or concentration (as in training or employment) < a background in sales promotion > < a background in medieval history > < a background of gold mining and prospecting for oil > < has unusual backgrounds of study and experience in international affairs — F.L.Mott > (3) : an individual's life history or past career < investigated the background of the suspect > < a background of success in all his varied enterprises > 4. a. : intrusive often constant sound that confuses, distorts, or interferes with received or recorded electronic signals (as in radio reception or recording); also : adventitious flicks interfering with electronic instrument readings b. : the more or less steady level of radiation or sound above which the effect (as radioactivity) being measured by an apparatus (as a Geiger counter) is detected II. transitive verb Etymology: background (I) 1. : to form a background to < elms that have backgrounded memorable scenes in our history — Frank Thone > 2. : to provide with a background < a richly backgrounded study of a silent movie star — Hollis Alpert > III. noun : a level of computer processing at which the processor uses time not required for a primary task to work on a less important task — compare foreground herein |