front-to-back - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

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front-to-back

|front-to-back|

/ˌfrʌnt tə ˈbæk/

from the front toward the back

Etymology

Etymology Information

'front-to-back' originates from Modern English as a compound of the words 'front', 'to', and 'back'.

Historical Evolution

'front' comes into English via Old French 'front' from Latin 'frons' (meaning 'forehead, front'), while 'back' comes from Old English 'bæc'; the particle 'to' is from Old English 'tō'. These elements combined in Modern English to form the compound phrase 'front-to-back'.

Meaning Changes

Initially the components referred separately to the 'front' and the 'back'; over time they were combined to form the compound meaning 'from the front toward the back' or 'in front-to-back order'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

extending, arranged, or moving from the front toward the back; relating to the direction from the front to the back.

The front-to-back design of the airflow improved ventilation in the room.

Synonyms

front-to-rear antero-posteriorfrontward-to-backward

Antonyms

back-to-front rear-to-front

Adverb 1

in a direction from the front toward the back; in order going from the front to the back.

She cleaned the bench front-to-back to ensure no dust was left behind.

Synonyms