backbone
Column of vertebrae
Backbone is the spine—the column of vertebrae running down the center of the back in humans and other vertebrates.
Figuratively, backbone means courage, determination, or moral strength: She showed real backbone standing up to them.
It also means the central supporting structure of something larger: Small businesses are the backbone of the economy.
In computing, a backbone is the main high-capacity network line that smaller networks connect to.
Enduring courage under pain
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- gutsEntrails or boldness
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- mettleStrength of character
tenacity · steadfastness · determination · nerve · spine · pluck · moxie · spunk
Primary source of support
- pillarUpright architectural support
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
- keystoneArch's central locking stone
linchpin · bedrock · underpinning · anchor · core · central · essential · framework
Column of vertebrae
sacrum · coccyx · intervertebral · discs · column · scoliosis · kyphosis · lordosis
fortitude
Enduring courage under pain
mettle · tenacity · steadfastness · determination · nerve · spine · pluck · moxie · spunk · character
mainstay
Primary source of support
- pillarUpright architectural support
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
keystone · linchpin · bedrock · underpinning · anchor · core · central · essential · framework · buttress
spine
Column of vertebrae
lumbar · sacrum · coccyx · intervertebral · discs · column · scoliosis · kyphosis · lordosis · chiropractor
spine
Column of vertebrae
signature · gathering · section · head · tail · shoulder · cover · sewn · glued · perfect-bound
infrastructure
Basic physical systems
- coreCentral essential portion
- routerPacket-forwarding network device
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
hub · fiber · optic · bandwidth · transmission · node · gateway · trunk · carrier · peering
- compound wordsbookmark, breakdown, sunlight, breakup, snowflake
- connectionslink, links, connect, connection, tie
- musculoskeletalbones, muscle, muscles, joint, joints
- skeletonskull, pelvis, ribs, sternum, clavicle
- animal partsappendage, forelimb, hind leg, hind legs, hindlegs
- body metaphorsblind spot, gut feeling, headache, heartbeat, lifeblood
backbonespinelessness
Lack of courage
cowardice · weakness · timidity · pusillanimity · cravenness
backboneinvertebrate
Animal sans backbone
soft-bodied · boneless · cartilage · jellyfish · slug