back biter
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
One who slanders another behind his back, i.e. in his absence. His bosom friends are become his back biters, said of a lousy man.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “back biter” mean?
One who slanders another behind his back, i.e. in his absence. His bosom friends are become his back biters, said of a lousy man.
Is “back biter” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.