† ˈback-berend, a. (pres. pple.) Obs.
In 3 -inde, 6–9 -and, 7 -end, 8 -ind.
[OE. bæc-berende, f. bæc back + berende, pr. pple. of beran to bear: see backbear n.]
Bearing on the back: an OE. combination, long retained as a law-term to describe a thief caught in the act of thus carrying off stolen property. Sometimes modernized as back-bearing.
| 1292 Britton i. xxx. §6 Acun laroun ou robbeour seisi de soen larcyn handhabbynde et bacberinde. c 1550 Sir J. Balfour Practicks (1754) 37 Theives tane and apprehendit in manifest thift, sic as hand-havand and back-beirand. 1641 Termes de la Ley 36 b, Backberind theefe. 1822 Edin. Rev. XXXVI. 295 If the offender could be taken back-bearing. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth iv, Our hand-habend, our back-berand, and our blood-suits. |