Backgrounds

1back;ground pronunciation: function: noun usage: often attributive date: 1672 1 a : the scenery or ground behind something b : the part of a painting representing what lies behind objects in the foreground2 : an inconspicuous position3 a : the conditions that form the setting within which something is experienced b (1) : the circumstances or events antecedent to a phenomenon or development (2) : information essential to understanding of a problem or situation c : the total of a person's experience, knowledge, and education4 a : intrusive sound or radiation that interferes with received or recorded electronic signals b : a more or less steady level of noise above which the effect (as radioactivity) being measured by an apparatus (as a geiger counter) is detected; especially : a somewhat steady level of radiation in the natural environment (as from cosmic rays)5 : a level of computer processing at which the processor uses time not required for a primary task to work on an additional task — compare foreground— on background : with the understanding that information offered for publication will not be attributed to a specific source lt;an official speaking on backgroundgt;synonyms background, setting, environment, milieu, mise-en-scène mean the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs. background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development lt;the shocking decision was part of the background of the riotsgt;. setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms lt;a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social settinggt;. environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development lt;the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquentsgt;. milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons lt;an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentationgt;. mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect lt;a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scènegt;.