backwater
noun
- part of a river in which there is little or seasonal-only current
- a rural town or region which is considered not to be relevant or attractive due to its remoteness
Wiktionary
name
- A locality in the Armidale council area, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia.
noun
Etymology: From back + water.
- The water held back by a dam or other obstruction.
“[…] The backwater separates the main line from Hinksey marshalling yards”
- A remote place: somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc; any field of endeavor that figuratively resembles such a place.
“Near-synonyms: (place) jerkwater town, one-horse town, Podunk; see also Thesaurus:remote place”
“an academic backwater”
- A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water
- Water used in the papermaking process. Recycled to reduce usage of fresh water, and usually containing residual amounts of chemicals and fibres.
“The back-water (overflow) can be used for "thinning down" the chests when emptying. If "Wastive" does this, his mind will be at ease regarding waste of pulp, and his machine-men will be happy and do their work much better than by trying to use all the back-water on the paper machine.”
verb
Etymology: From back + water.
- To row or paddle a backwater stroke.
- To vacillate on a long-held position.