backhouse
|back-house|
/ˈbækhaʊs/
building at back of house
Etymology
'backhouse' originates from Old English elements: 'bæc' meaning 'back' and 'hūs' meaning 'house'.
'backhouse' appeared in Middle English (e.g. Middle English 'bakhus' or similar formations) and developed into the modern English compound 'backhouse'.
Initially it referred generally to a building at the back of a house used for various domestic purposes; over time in some dialects the sense narrowed to mean specifically an outhouse or privy.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small building at the back of a house used as an outhouse or privy (often dialectal or archaic).
They went out to the backhouse because the indoor plumbing was not yet installed.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
an outbuilding at the rear of a dwelling used for household tasks such as storage, dairy work, or a scullery (archaic usage).
In the 19th century farmstead, the backhouse stored butter and garden tools.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/26 10:53