Englishbackbone
noun
1 an injured backbone:
spine, spinal column, vertebral column, vertebrae;
back;
technical dorsum, rachis.
2 these firms are the backbone of our industrial sector:
mainstay, cornerstone, foundation, chief support, buttress, pillar, sinews.
3 he has enough backbone to see us through this difficulty:
strength of character, strength of will, firmness of purpose, firmness, resolution, resolve, determination, fortitude, mettle, moral fiber, spine, steel, nerve, spirit, pluck, pluckiness, courage, courageousness, bravery, braveness, valor, manliness;
informal guts, spunk, grit;
British, informal bottle;
vulgar slang balls.
▷antonyms weakness.
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relating to the backbone | |