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Backfill vs Backdate - What's the difference?

backfill | backdate |

As verbs the difference between backfill and backdate

is that backfill is to refill a hole with the material dug out of it while backdate is to give or assign a date to a document that is earlier than the current date.

As a noun backfill

is the material that has been used to refill an excavation.

backfill

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To refill a hole with the material dug out of it.
  • (archaeology) To refill an excavation unit to restore the former ground surface and or to preserve the unit and make it recognizable as having been excavated.
  • * We backfilled the cistern with pea gravel to discourage its use as a refuse container.
  • (US) To provide reserve support.
  • (US) To replenish or restock due to attrition or loss.
  • The company backfilled Joe's position after he was terminated.

    Noun

  • The material that has been used to refill an excavation.
  • (US) Reserve support personnel.
  • (US) That which backfills; a replacement.
  • (literature) Material in a story set earlier in the past, providing history or context for the current action.
  • backdate

    English

    Alternative forms

    *back-date

    Verb

    (backdat)
  • To give or assign a date to a document that is earlier than the current date.