Search Result for "backwater": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (2)

1. a body of water that was created by a flood or tide or by being held or forced back by a dam;
- Example: "the bayous and backwaters are breeding grounds for mosquitos"

2. a place or condition in which no development or progress is occurring;
- Example: "the country is an economic backwater"



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Backwater \Back"wa`ter\, n. [Back, a. or adv. + -water. ]
   1. Water turned back in its course by an obstruction, an
      opposing current, or the flow of the tide, as in a sewer
      or river channel, or across a river bar.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An accumulation of water overflowing the low lands, caused
      by an obstruction.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Water thrown back by the turning of a waterwheel, or by
      the paddle wheels of a steamer.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

backwater
    n 1: a body of water that was created by a flood or tide or by
         being held or forced back by a dam; "the bayous and
         backwaters are breeding grounds for mosquitos"
    2: a place or condition in which no development or progress is
       occurring; "the country is an economic backwater"