behind, adv., prep. (n.)
(bɪˈhaɪnd)
Forms: 1 behindan, (Northumb. bihianda), 2–3 bihinden, 3 (Orm.) -hinndenn, 2–4 -hinde, 3–4 byhynde, 4 bi-, by-hynden, bi-henden, -hynde, -hind, beheinde, 4–6 behynde, 5–7 behinde, 4– behind.
[OE. bi-, behindan, identical w. OS. bihindan, f. bi-, be- + hindan, OHG. hintana, mod.G. hinten, Gothic hindana adv., ‘from behind,’ ‘behind,’ f. root hind- in hinder, hindmost, with advb. suffix -ana, orig. meaning direction from: the notion of position is given by be-. Behind is used both absolutely (as adv.), and with an object (as prep.), the latter originating in an OE. dative of reference, behindan him ‘in the rear as to him’; in Gothic hindana took a genitive, hindana Iaurdanaus ‘from the back of the Jordan.’ In its sense-development the word is one, though for practical purposes the adverbial and prepositional construction are here treated separately.]
A. adv. I. In relation to an object in motion.
1. In a place whence those to whom the reference is made have departed; remaining after the others have gone. Esp. used with leave (let obs.), remain, stay, abide. a. lit.
| c 900 O.E. Chron. an. 894 Ða Deniscan sæton þær be hindan. a 1000 Boeth. Metr. xxiv. 29 Þu..þone hehstan heofon behindan lætest. Ibid. xxvi. 23 He let him behindan hyrnde ciolas. c 1305 St. Swithin 99 in E.E.P. (1862) 46 Ne lef þu noȝt bihynde. c 1450 Rob. Hood (Ritson) i. i. 46 We shall abide behynde. c 1500 Merch. & Son in Halliw. Nugæ Poet. 26 Here ys a fytt of thys matere; the bettur ys behynde. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 306 He..leaves the Scythian Arrow far behind. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. iii. (1806) 13 Too generous to attempt leaving us behind. 1782 Cowper J. Gilpin 60 Betty screaming came downstairs, ‘The wine is left behind!’ 1874 Stubbs Const. Hist. (1875) I. 64 Even the slaves were not left behind. |
b. fig. In the position, condition, or state which a person or thing has left: e.g. in existence after one's death.
| c 1400 St. Alexius 20 Richesse he lete al Bihynde. ? 1595 Babes in Wd. (Ritson) 16 They died And left two babes behind. a 1631 Donne Poems (1650) 15 To leave this world behinde, is death. 1652 Culpepper Eng. Physic 68 Gross humours Winter hath left behinde. 1764 Goldsm. Trav. 132 All evils..That opulence departed leaves behind. 1829 Southey Sir T. More II. 138 When they were advanced from a private station, they left behind them the leisure. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 73 The salt is left entirely behind, and nothing but pure water evaporated. |
c. In the time which one has lived beyond, in the past.
| [1382 Wyclif Phil. iii. 13 Forȝetinge..tho thingis that ben bihyndis.] 1526 Tindale ibid., I forget that which is behynde. c 1600 Shakes. Sonn. l, My grief lies onward and my joy behind. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. lxxvii, As in the winters left behind, Again our ancient games had place. |
† 2. After one has left (a company), in one's absence. Obs., and now expressed by ‘behind one's back’: see B 9.
| a 1000 Bi manna Lease (Gr.) 4 Eorl oðerne..mid teon⁓wordum tæleð behindan, spreceð faᵹere beforan. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 143 Þe þet spekeð faire biforen and false bihinden. 1413 Lydg. Pylgr. Sowle iii. iii. (1483) 51 Ye have shewed them in presence good chere..but behynde ye have ben fals traytours. |
3. a. In the rear of anything moving; following, in the train; not so far forward. to come behind: to follow, come after. to fall behind: to fall into the rear through not going so fast or ‘keeping up.’
| [c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark v. 27 [Wif] cwom in ðreat bihianda.] 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. iv. 37 Ther connynge clerkus shulleþ clocke by-hynde. 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 72 The further ye go, the further behynde. c 1575 J. Still Gamm. Gurton v. in Dodsley (1780) II. 77 As proude come behinde, as anie goes before. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 708 Late to lag behind, with truant pace. 1857 M. Howitt Web-Spinner, I am wearied with a long day's chase, My friends are far behind. 1858 C. Patmore Angel in Ho. xii. iii, Her laughing sisters lagg'd behind. |
† b. of following in time: Later. those that come behind: posterity. Obs.
| c 1600 Rob. Hood (Ritson) i. v. 420 Least his fame should be buried clean From those that came behind. 1628 Hobbes Thucyd. (1822) 40 Men..are many times to fall first to action, the which ought to come behind. |
4. fig. (from 1) In reserve, kept back, not yet brought forward or mentioned; still to come.
| 1250 Lay. 18012 He hadde bihinde ehtetene þousend. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 6 b, Smoke, the more it encreaseth, the lesse is behynde. 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 276 b, There is but a veraye litle litle tyme of my life behinde. 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. v. 545 Wee'll show What's yet behinde. 1630 Wadsworth Sp. Pilgr. v. 46 He..told what was behinde of his former discourse. 1687 T. Brown Saints in Upr. Wks. 1730 I. 73 The oddest and most comical scene is still behind. 1750 Johnson Rambl. No. 67 ¶2 The expectation of some new possession, or of some enjoyment yet behind. 1818 Macaulay in Trevelyan Life I. ii. 96 But stronger evidence is behind. |
5. fig. (from 3.) a. Of progress, advancement, or attainment; hence, of rank, order, subordination.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 213 Þenne man bipecheð oðer · he him makeð to ben bihinden of þat he weneð to ben biforen. c 1300 Cursor M. 6073 Qua for pouert ys be-hinde. 1526 Tindale 1 Cor. i. 7 So that ye are behynde [Wyclif fail, 1611 come behinde] in no gyfte. 1586 Warner Alb. Eng. iii. xviii. 83 You..shall see Yourselues to come behind in Armes. 1788 F. Burney Diary, etc. (1842) IV. 42 Mrs. Montagu, who was behind with no one in kind speeches. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. iv. 462 The opponents were not behind in violence. |
b. In reference to the fulfilment of an obligation, esp. of paying money due: In arrear. Const. with money unpaid, or the person to whom it is due; in fulfilling an obligation.
| c 1375 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. II. 252 So many men in þis world ben byhynde of dette of love. 1454 E.E. Wills (1882) 133 His wages beyng be-hynde. 1493 Festivall (W. de W. 1515) 20 Ye that be behynde [in making shrift]..come and shryve you. 1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII, xi, If the seid annuell rentes..be behynde. 1596 Danett Comines' Hist. Fr. (1614) 239 Maximilian was behind with them for certaine moneths pay. 1614 R. Tailor Hog hath lost Pearl i. i. in Dodsley (1780) VI. 381, I am behind with my landlord a year. 1697 C'tess. D'Aunoy's Trav. (1706) 86 A man of good quality..much behind in the world. 1765 Act 5 Geo. II, xvii. §3 in Oxf. & Camb. Enact. 75 In case the rent or rents..shall be behind or unpaid. 1885 Manch. Exam. 21 July 5/2 If the tenant falls behind with his instalments. |
6. a. After due time; late or slow in coming forward. Obs. exc. Sc.
| c 1330 Assumpt. Virg. 808 Euer art þou bi-hynde, Whare hast þou so longe bene? 1414 Brampton Penit. Ps. lxv. 25 Lete noȝt thi mercy be behynde. 1727 Walker Life Peden 38 (Jam.) He was never behind with any that put their trust in him. 1787 Beattie Scotticisms 14, I fear I shall be behind, i.e. not arrive in time.—Late, too late. |
b. Of a watch or clock: Slow.
| 1787 Beattie Scotticisms 15 My watch is behind, before: slow, fast, are better. |
II. In relation to objects at rest.
7. a. On the back side, at the back; in the rear of anything stationary having a recognized front.
| c 1220 Sawles Warde in Cott. Hom. 251 Speoweð ham eft ut biuoren ant bihinden. c 1305 Judas Iscar. 83 in E.E.P. 109 He smot him wiþ a ston bihynde in þe pate. c 1400 Destr. Troy xxiii. 9540 He was brochit þurgh the body with a big speire, Þat a trunchyn of þe tre tut out behynd. a 1540 Pilgrim's T. 66 in Thynne's Animadv. 79 In myn eyr behynd I herde a bussinge. 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. v. i. 43 Caska, like a curre, behinde Strooke Cæsar on the necke. 1713 Steele Englishm. No. 1. 5 The Servants behind..were unable to contain from laughing. 1795 Southey Joan of Arc iv. 388 From behind a voice was heard. 1831 R. Knox Cloquet's Anat. 152 A..smooth surface, concave from behind forwards. 1837 Marryat Dog-Fiend viii, She had..a back-door into the street behind. |
† b. fig. At one's back, supporting, backing up.
| 1630 Wadsworth Sp. Pilgr. vii. 71 The remainder of the regiment..[was] giuen to Sir Iames Creeton, there being behind Captain Lucy..with diuerse other..Captaines. |
c. At the back or on the farther side of some object, so as to be hidden. Chiefly fig.
| a 1887 Mod. That seems fair enough, but is there anything behind? |
d. ellipt. for behind the scenes (see sense B. 6 c).
| 1824 J. Decastro Memoirs 8 To visit the theatre whenever he was so disposed, either in front or behind. 1856 Dickens Dorrit i. xx. 283 But the idea, Amy, of you coming behind! I never did! 1885 G. B. Shaw in Works (1932) VI. 202, I am going to take a peep behind: that is, if non-performers may be admitted. 1926 R. Macaulay Crewe Train ii. ii. 64 Leonard's fate will be settled by the time the curtain goes up. He's gone behind, poor Leonard. |
8. Towards the rear, backwards. (With look or equivalent verbs.)
| c 1340 Ayenb. 130 Yzyþ aboue and beneþe, and beuore and behynde. 1382 Wyclif Judg. xx. 40 Beniamyn biholdynge bihynde..turnede the face. 1604 Shakes. Oth. ii. i. 158 She that could..See suitors following, and not looke behind. 1692 E. Walker Epictetus' Mor. (1737) xii, Run, Nor look behind. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 708 Th' unwary Lover cast his Eyes behind. 1799 Wordsw. Lucy Gray xvi, O'er rough and smooth she trips along, And never looks behind. 1867 Alford Hymn ‘Forward’, Seek the things before us, Not a look behind. |
9. To the back, into the rear. † to put behind (obs.): to put into the rear, out of sight, into the background, or into a subordinate position.
| c 1380 Wyclif 3 Treat. i. 61 Shrift to God is put bihynde..but privey shrift newe foundun is autorisid as nedeful to soulis heele. c 1400 Apol. Loll. 90 Put not His bidding be hynd. c 1430 Lydg. Bochas i. iii. (1544) 6 a, The pride of Nembroth there was put behind. c 1450 Rob. Hood (Ritson) i. i. 1072, I dyd holpe a pore yeman, With wronge was put behynde. a 1887 Mod. Go behind and look for it. |
B. prep. I. With the object in motion.
1. a. In a place left by (one who has gone on). Usually with leave, remain, stay, expressed or understood.
| c 1200 Ormin 8913 He wass þa bihinndenn hemm bilefedd att te temmple. a 1300 Cursor M. 15879 Lafte þei not bihynden hem þe fals feloun Iudas. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 143 To leue our beest behynde vs. 1613 Shakes. Hen. VIII, iv. ii. 84 Leaue me heere in wretchednesse, behinde ye. 1874 Farrar Christ I. 477 Leaving behind him those Phœnician shrines. a 1887 Mod. She has resolved to stay behind me for a few days. |
b. fig. In a condition or state left by (one); in existence, in life, in the world after one is ‘gone.’
| 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. ii. i. 20 He left behind him myself and a sister. a 1694 Tillotson (J.) Piety and virtue are not only delightful for the present, but they leave peace and contentment behind them. 1759 Johnson Rasselas xxx. Wks. (1825) I. 263 The old Egyptians have left behind them monuments of industry. 1867 Freeman Norm. Conq. I. vi. (1876) 420 The last King who left behind him a name for just and mild government. |
c. fig. In time left by (one); in time past.
| 1832 Tennyson Locksley Hall 13 When the centuries behind me like a fruitful land reposed. |
† 2. After the departure of (a person); in the absence of. Obs. (Now, behind his back: see 9.)
| c 1300 Beket 1374 To deme a man bihynden him thou wost hit nere no lawe. 1340 Ayenb. 10 Þo þet misziggeþ guode men behinde ham. 1470–85 Malory Arthur (1816) I. 357 Many speak more behind him than they will say to his face. |
3. a. In the rear of (one moving); following, after.
| c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 185 By-hynde this god..I saw comynge of ladyis nynetene. 1610 Shakes. Temp. iv. i. 11 She will outstrip all praise And make it halt, behinde her. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 700 And close behind him follow'd she. 1742 Young Nt. Th. i. 171 Joy behind joy, in endless perspective! 1808 Scott Marm. i. vii, Behind him rode two gallant squires. |
b. with reference to any kind of progress, attainment, or position or order attained: Inferior to.
| 1526 Tindale 2 Cor. xi. 5, I suppose that I was not behynde the chefe apostles. 1593 Hooker Eccl. Pol. i. vi. §2 Wks. 1841 I. 164 Beasts, though otherwise behind men, may..in actions of sense and fancy go beyond them. 1625 Burges Pers. Tithes 24 The practise of such as are behind him in estate. 1823 Lamb Elia Ser. i. xv. (1865) 121 She is in some things behind her years. 1848 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 68 They were some centuries behind their neighbours in knowledge. |
c. To be behind the times: see time n. 5 a. Also attrib.
| 1905 Daily Chron. 14 Feb. 6/3 A slow-going, old-fashioned, behind-the-times country. |
4. Later than, after (the set time), i.e. after the set time has passed. In ‘behind time’ there is an expression of blame not present in ‘after time.’
| 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. iv. i. 195 If you..come one minute behind your hour. 1632 Rutherford Lett. 26 (1862) I. 98 We be but half-hungered of Christ here, and many a time dine behind noon. 1853 C. Brontë Villette 180 ‘Ten minutes behind his time,’ said she. |
II. With the object at rest.
5. a. In the space lying to the rear of, on the back side of (a person, or object that has a front and back). behind fortifications, etc.: inside of, so as to be defended by them.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 165 He is buuen us and bineþen, biforen and bihinden. a 1225 Juliana 73 Bihinden hare schuldren. c 1300 K. Alis. 2013 Y wol..faste bynde, His honden his rug byhynde. c 1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 553 He hadde, bihinden his paleys, A fair gardin. 1611 Bible Ex. xiv. 19 The pillar of the cloud..stood behinde them. 1760 Johnson Idler No. 95 ¶6 They wondered how a youth of spirit could spend the prime of life behind a counter. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xxii. (1806) 132 Next morning I took my daughter behind me, and set out on my return home. 1849 Kingsley Pr. Idylls (1875) 295 The gentleman from Lloyd's with the pen behind his ear. |
b. fig. At the back of (any one) as a support; backing (one) up.
| 1882 Pall Mall G. 24 June 1 The great arbitragists who have behind them the wealthy financial houses in London. |
6. a. On the farther side of (an object) from the spectator or point of reference; beyond.
| c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. B. 653 Þe burde byhynde þe dor for busmar laȝed. a 1400 Chester Pl. 209 Alas! that I were awaie Ferre behynde France! 1653 Holcroft Procopius iv. 120 All behinde the end of the Euxine is Lazica. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 330 Behind the Mountain, or beyond the Flood. 1820 Keats St. Agnes xi, He stood hid..Behind a broad hall-pillar. 1832 H. Martineau Life in Wilds i. 3 The mountains behind the Cape of Good Hope. |
b. fig. At the back of, hidden by, on the side remote from our observation.
| 1866 J. Martineau Ess. I. 198 Behind every phenomenon we must assume a power. |
c. behind the scenes: in the rear of the scenery of a theatre; hence, behind what is publicly displayed, out of sight, in private. Also attrib. and behind-scene. See also scene 7.
| 1711 Addison Spect. No. 44 ¶5 Murders and Executions are always transacted behind the Scenes in the French Theatre. 1779 Horne Disc. (1799) IV. vii. 169 In the Scripture-histories we are as it were admitted behind the scenes. 1841 E. Fitzgerald Let. 16 Jan. (1889) I. 64 And go right through it [sc. a picture] into some behind-scene world on the other side. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. I. 316 There lay,..behind the scenes a whole drama of contention and bitterness. 1933 Essays & Studies XVIII. 156 They [sc. ‘stream of consciousness’ novels] have..a strong behind-the-scenes interest. 1961 John o'London's 5 Oct. 374/2 His political novel tells the story of the behind-the-scenes struggle for power. 1968 J. Wainwright Web of Silence 100 It hit the headlines..but it didn't help the behind-scene manœuvring. |
7. Backwards from (oneself), towards what lies in the rear of. (With look and equivalent verbs.)
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iii. xii. 108 Yif he loke byhynden hym. 1382 Wyclif Gen. xix. 26 The wijf of hym [Lot], biholdynge bihynde her. 1611 Bible Judg. xx. 40 The Benjamites looked behind them. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 6 ¶13 Venturing to look behind him. 1860 Tyndall Glaciers i. §14. 94 The prospect..behind us..grew worse. |
8. a. Into the space lying to the rear of, to the back or farther side of.
| 1250 Lay. 26057 Arthur..storte bi-hinde an treo. c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 643 By-hyndyn the mast begynnyth he to fle. 1611 Bible Matt. xxvi. 23 Get thee behind mee, Satan. ― 2 Kings ix. 19 Turne thee behinde me. Mod. The mouse ran behind the sidebord. The sun has sunk behind the mountains. |
b. fig. Out of attention or consideration.
| 1866 Motley Dutch Rep. v. i. 673 The plan of Don John..I put entirely behind me. |
c. to go behind: to press an enquiry into what does not appear on the surface of (any matter), or is not avowed.
| 1884 M. White in Law Times Rep. LII. 548/2 The rate..was valid and good on the face of it, and the justices were not entitled to go behind it and inquire whether there was a concurrent rate. |
III. phr.
9. behind (one's) back has been used as a more emphatic expression for behind (one), in all senses; but now spec. in sense 2, in which behind-backs also occurs in Scotch.
| c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. B. 980 Þe balleful burde..Blusched byhynden her bak. 1382 Wyclif Gen. xxii. 13 Abraham..sawe bihynd his bak a wether among the thornes. 1470–85 Malory Arthur (1816) I. 307 To say of me wrong or shame behind my back. 1611 Bible Ex. xxiii. 35 Thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behinde thy backe [1388 Wyclif, behynde thi bodi]. 1645 Rutherford Tryal & Tri. Faith (1845) 78 The Father and the Son are speaking of thee behind backs. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 109 ¶5 Sir Andrew Freeport has said behind my Back, that, etc. 1782 Bp. Newton Wks. II. xxii. 460 The flatterer will..trumpet forth your praises behind your back. c 1817 Hogg Tales & Sk. IV. 14 Tibby was sitting behind backs enjoying the meal. 1864 Linnet's Trial I. iii. i. 303, I should be very sorry not to defend people behind their backs. |
C. as n.
1. (colloq. and vulgar): The back side or rear part (of the person or of a garment); the posteriors.
| 1786 Lounger No. 54. 17 Two young Ladies..with new Hats on their heads, new Bosoms, and new Behinds in a band-box. a 1830 George IV in Sat. Rev. (1862) 8 Feb., Go and do my bidding—tell him he lies, and kick his behind in my name! 1833 Marryat P. Simple (1863) 49 That I might not have the front of my trowsers torn as well as the behind. 1926 D. H. Lawrence Let. 19 Jan. (1932) 647 Lucky I'm not a professional behind-kicker. 1928 G. B. Shaw Intell. Woman's Guide lxxiv. 362 You can say ‘If I catch you doing that again I will..smack your behind’. |
2. a. Australian Rules Football. A scoring kick that earns one point (see quot. 1968). Also attrib.
| 1888 Pall Mall G. 23 July 6/2 The visitors won by five goals and ten behinds to four goals and eight behinds. 1890 Melbourne Punch 14 Aug. 107/2 South Melbourne 3 goals 10 behinds. 1968 Eagleson & McKie Terminology Austral. Nat. Football i. 14 A behind is scored when the ball, after being kicked, is touched by or touches any player before passing through the goal posts; or when it touches a goal post; or when it passes immediately above a goal post or between a goal post and a behind post; or when it is kicked or knocked through the goal posts by one of the defending players. Ibid. 15 Behind line, the line between the goal and behind posts. Ibid., Behind post, a post seven yards to the side of a goal post, and not as tall as the goal post. |
b. (See quots.)
| 1898 Encycl. Sport II. 143 (Eton football) Each side consists of the ‘bully’, outsides, and behinds, but all except the behinds are commonly spoken of as ‘the bully’. Ibid., The ‘behinds’ are ‘short’ and ‘long behind’ and ‘goals’. |
D. Comb. † behind-back(s, see 9 above; behind-forth (obs.), from behind forward; behind-rider, a rear guard; behind-sight nonce-wd. (as contrast to foresight), backward view, retrospection.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xviii. lxvii. (1495) 823 [The leoperde] reseth on hym behyndeforth wyth bytyng and wyth clawes. 1471 Hist. Arriv. Edw. IV (1838) 14 A good bande of speres and archars his behynd-rydars. 1884 Pall Mall G. 8 Feb. 1/1 If our foresight were as good as our ‘behindsight,’ many disasters would never happen. |