unbacked

comparative more unbacked · superlative most unbacked

1. not comparableHaving no back.

   an unbacked bench

2. Not supported or backed up (by someone or something).

   This was an intellectual decision, unbacked by moral energy.

   1962, Doris Lessing, “Free Women: 2”, in The Golden Notebook, New York: Bantam, published 1979, page 306

   2 more examples

   The warlike Wench amongst the Greekes doth stand Vnbackt by Troy, left of her Damsels all, The battery of a thousand swords she bides, Till her yron plates are hew’d off from her sides.

   1609, Thomas Heywood, Troia Britanica: or, Great Britaines Troy, London: W. Iaggard, Canto 14, stanza 103, p. 381

   The simple statement, unbacked by any proof but the weight of Ralph’s new authority, brought light and happiness.

   1954, William Golding, Lord of the Flies

   Synonyms: unsupported

3. Having no (or few) backers.

   an unbacked racehorse

   1 more example

   a largely unbacked fundraising project

4. not comparableobsoleteOf an animal: never having been ridden or not accustomed to being ridden; not (currently) being ridden.

   1823, Mary Shelley, Valperga, London: G. and W.B. Whittaker, Volume 2, Chapter 10, p. 237, […] having visited his charger which was to be led unbacked to the field, he mounted a black palfrey;

   4 more examples

   […] like unback’d colts, they prick’d their ears, Advanced their eyelids, lifted up their noses As they smelt music:

   1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

   […] a well wayed horse will safely convay thee to thy journeys end, when an unbackt Filly may by chance give thee a fall:

   1646, John Suckling, Fragmenta Aurea, London: Humphrey Moseley, page 71

   […] whoever has seen a fine arabian war-horse, unback’d and at liberty, and in a wanton trot, cannot but remember what a large waving line his rising, and at the same time pressing forward, cuts through the air;

   1753, William Hogarth, chapter 17, in The Analysis of Beauty, London: for the author, page 140

   Shakbolt must have had apoplexy at the thought of his ramping war-horses answering to that description. He used to buy unbacked devils, and tame them by starvation.

   1890, Rudyard Kipling, “The Incarnation of Krishna Mulvaney”, in Mine Own People, New York: Manhattan Press, page 176

   Synonyms: unbroken

5. arts(of a plate) Not having an antihalation backing.