background (), n. [Back, a. + ground.]
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1. Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
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2. (Paint.) The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.
[1913 Webster] ☞ The distance in a picture is usually divided into foreground, middle distance, and background. Fairholt.
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3. Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, “the statue had a background of red hangings”.
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4. A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
[1913 Webster] I fancy there was a background of grinding and waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly finished . . . performance. Mrs. Alexander.
[1913 Webster] A husband somewhere in the background. Thackeray.
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5. The set of conditions within which an action takes place, including the social and physical conditions as well as the psychological states of the participants; as, “within the background of the massive budget deficits of the 1980's, new spending programs had little chance of passage by the congress”.
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6. The set of conditions that precede and affect an action, such as the social and historical precedents for the event, as well as the general background5; as, “against the background of their expulsion by the Serbs, the desire of Kosovars for vengeance is understandable though regrettable”.
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7. (Science) The signals that may be detected by a measurement which are not due to the phenomenon being studied, and tend to make the measurement uncertain to a greater or lesser degree. Specifically: (Physics) Electronic noise present in a system using electronic measuring instrument or in a telecommunications system, which may hide and which must be differentiated from the desired signal; also called background noise or noise.
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8. (Journalism) An agreement between a journalist and an interviewee that the name of the interviewee will not be quoted in any publication, although the substance of the remarks may be reported; -- often used in the phrase “on background”. Compare deep background.
[PJC] To place in the background, to make of little consequence. To keep in the background, to remain unobtrusive, inconspicuous or out of sight; -- of people. deep background, (Journalism) the status of an interview which must not be quoted in a publication, even without attribution. Compare background8.
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Noise (?), n. [F. noise noisy strife, quarrel, brawl, fr. L. nausea seasickness, sickness, disgust. See Nausea.]
1. Sound of any kind.
[1913 Webster] The heavens turn about in a most rapid motion without noise
to us perceived. Bacon.
[1913 Webster] ☞ Noise is either a sound of too short a duration to be determined, like the report of a cannon; or else it is a confused mixture of many discordant sounds, like the rolling of thunder or the noise of the waves. Nevertheless, the difference between sound and noise is by no means precise. Ganot.
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2. Especially, loud, confused, or senseless sound; clamor; din.
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3. Loud or continuous talk; general talk or discussion; rumor; report. “The noise goes.” Shak.
[1913 Webster] What noise have we had about transplantation of diseases and transfusion of blood! T. Baker.
[1913 Webster] Socrates lived in Athens during the great plague which has made so much noise in all ages. Spectator.
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4. Music, in general; a concert; also, a company of musicians; a band. [Obs.] Milton.
[1913 Webster] The king has his noise of gypsies. B. Jonson.
[1913 Webster] Syn. -- Cry; outcry; clamor; din; clatter; uproar.
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