backgain

English

Etymology 1

Alteration of back-ganging (noun).

Alternative forms

  • backgaun, back-gang, back-gannin
  • backgane (Scotland)

Noun

backgain (plural backgains)

  1. (UK dialectal) A relapse.
  2. (UK dialectal) A decline; consumption.
  3. (UK dialectal) A relapse in illness.

Etymology 2

Alteration of back-ganging (adjective), equivalent to back +‎ ganging.

Alternative forms

  • back-ga'en, back-gaen

Adjective

backgain (comparative more backgain, superlative most backgain)

  1. (UK dialectal) Receding; going back.
  2. (UK dialectal, of persons) Not thriving in health or in worldly concerns.
    a backgain family

See also

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