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Backbone vs Lifeblood - What's the difference?

backbone | lifeblood |

As nouns the difference between backbone and lifeblood

is that backbone is the series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals while lifeblood is blood which is needed for continued life; blood regarded as the seat of life.

backbone

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
  • any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure
    • Before automobiles, railroads were a backbone of commerce.
  • courage, fortitude, or strength
    • He would make a good manager, if he had a little more backbone .

    Synonyms

    * spine * spinal column * vertebral column * See also

    lifeblood

    English

    Alternative forms

    * life blood, life's blood

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • Blood which is needed for continued life; blood regarded as the seat of life.
  • * circa 1980 , George Spelvin, Petticoat Loose'', Act II, Scene 1, published in ''George Spelvin's theatre book , volume 3:
    • You didn't come to me in time. And by the time you came to me that fool of a doctor had bled and leeched the lifeblood out of Timmy.
  • (figuratively) That which is required for continued existence or function.
  • :Gasoline is the lifeblood of the modern city.
  • * 2006 , James E. Kibler, Memory's Keep , page 55:
    • The road brought invaders who left them hungry and dug up the dead. The road took living children away and made them dead to home. It was as if the roads were veins that bled off lifeblood but never pumped it back in.