Behind

adv., prep. (sb.) 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. * 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 latest. 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 Halliwell, Nugæ Poeticæ, 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 and the opportunities.

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.  Shaks., 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 teonwordum tæleð behindan, spreceð faʓere 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.  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.  Mary 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.  Shaks., 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 Uproar, 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.  Miss 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.  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, Scoticisms, 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, Scoticisms, 15. My watch is behind, before: slow, fast, are better.

  ** In relation to objects at rest.

  7.  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.  Shaks., 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 James 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.

Mod.  That seems fair enough, but is there anything behind?

  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.  Shaks., 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.

Mod.  Go behind and look for it.

  B.  prep. * With the object in motion.

  1.  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.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., IV. ii. 84. Leaue me heere in wretchednesse, behinde ye.

1874.  Farrar, Christ, I. 477. Leaving behind him those Phœnician shrines.

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.  Shaks., Twel. N., II. i. 20. He left behind him myself and a sister.

a. 1694.  Tillotson, Serm. (1696), vi. 74 (J.). All acts of 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 H., 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.  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.  Shaks., 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.

  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.  Shaks., 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.

  ** With the object at rest.

  5.  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 Gaz., 24 June, 1. The great arbitragists who have behind them the wealthy financial houses in London.

  6.  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.

c. 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.  Ht. 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 theater; hence, behind what is publicly displayed, out of sight, in private.

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.

1856.  Froude, Hist. Eng., I. 316. There lay,… behind the scenes a whole drama of contention and bitterness.

  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.  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. Ibid., 2 Kings ix. 19. Turne thee behinde me.

Mod.  The mouse ran behind the sideboard. 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.

  *** Phrase.

  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, Ezek. 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 sb. (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., 159/1. 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.

  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 Gaz., 8 Feb., 1/1. If our foresight were as good as our ‘behindsight,’ many disasters would never happen.