behind

I. adverb or adjective Etymology: Middle English behinde, from Old English behindan, from be- + hindan from behind; akin to Old English hinder behind — more at hind Date: before 12th century 1. a. in the place or situation that is being or has been departed from <

stay behind

> b. in, to, or toward the back <

look behind

> <

came from behind

> c. later in time <

can spring be far behind

> 2. a. in a secondary or inferior position b. in arrears <

behind in the rent

> c. slow 3. archaic still to come II. preposition Date: before 12th century 1. a. in or to a place or situation in back of or to the rear of <

look behind you

> <

put behind bars

> b. — used as a function word to indicate something that screens an observer <

the sun went behind a cloud

> c. following in order <

marched behind the band

> 2. — used as a function word to indicate backwardness, delay, or deficiency <

behind the times

> <

behind schedule

> <

lagged behind last year's sales

> 3. a. in the background of <

the conditions behind the strike

> b. out of the mind or consideration of <

put our troubles behind us

> c. beyond in depth or time <

the story behind the story

> <

go back behind St. Augustine

> 4. a. in support of ; on the side of <

solidly behind the candidate

> b. with the support of <

won 1-0 behind brilliant pitching

> III. noun Etymology: 1behind Date: circa 1830 buttocks — often used as a euphemism for ass in idiomatic expressions <

get your behind over here

>