Backspacing: meaning, definitions and examples

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backspacing

 

[ ˈbækˌspeɪsɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

computer usage

Backspacing is the act of deleting the character that comes before the current cursor position in digital text editing. It is commonly used to correct typing mistakes.

Synonyms

delete, erase, remove.

Examples of usage

  • I hit the backspace key to remove the typo.
  • After realizing my error, I started backspacing to correct the sentence.
  • In the editor, I used backspacing to delete unnecessary words.
Context #2 | Noun

key function

Backspacing refers to the function of the backspace key on a keyboard, which allows users to delete characters in text fields. It is a vital part of text editing.

Synonyms

deletion, erasure.

Examples of usage

  • The backspacing function is essential for editing any document.
  • When my sentence didn't make sense, I used backspacing to fix it.
  • Backspacing helps to tidy up my writing before submission.

Translations

Translations of the word "backspacing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 retrocesso

🇮🇳 बैकस्पेसिंग

🇩🇪 Rückschritt

🇮🇩 menghapus

🇺🇦 повернення

🇵🇱 cofnięcie

🇯🇵 バックスペース

🇫🇷 retour arrière

🇪🇸 retroceso

🇹🇷 geri alma

🇰🇷 백스페이스

🇸🇦 مسح

🇨🇿 zpětný krok

🇸🇰 späť

🇨🇳 退格

🇸🇮 nazaj

🇮🇸 aftur

🇰🇿 артқа

🇬🇪 უკან

🇦🇿 geri

🇲🇽 retroceso

Etymology

The term 'backspace' originates from the world of typewriters and computers, dating back to the early 20th century. The backspace key was introduced as a solution to simplify editing processes, allowing typists to move the typing position back and erase mistakes without needing to retype the entire line. The functionality became integral with the advent of keyboards on computers, enabling users to delete characters swiftly within digital documents. The term evolved alongside the technology, with 'backspacing' coming into popular usage as personal computing became commonplace in the 1980s and 1990s. The key's symbol, often represented with an arrow pointing to the left, visually conveys its purpose of removing content by stepping backwards in the text. As technology advanced, backspacing has remained a foundational aspect of text editing, symbolizing a blend of traditional typing methods with modern digital practices.