One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.

A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.

Information relevant to the current situation about past events; history.

A less important feature of scenery (as opposed to foreground).

(computing) The image or color over which a computer's desktop items are shown (e.g. icons or application windows).

(computing) A type of activity on a computer that is not normally visible to the user.

(physics) Clipping of background radiation.

To put in a position that is not prominent.

(journalism) To gather and provide background information (on).

simple past and past participle of backgrind

Less important or less noticeable in a scene or system.