Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BACK-CA', n. [′bɑk′kɑ:, ′bɑk′kǫ: See P.L.D. §§ 85, 93.]

(1) A reverse; a relapse.Ags. 1830 A. Balfour Weeds and Wildflowers 135:
Thretty pounds lost in a towmont, was a sair backca' to a poor man.Ags. 1894 “F. Mackenzie” Humours of Glenbruar ix.:
Ye'll sune be on your feet again, my leddy, feint a hair the waur o' this back-ca'.

(2) A retort, a snub.Ags.(D) 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 32:
“I wud like to see the man that wud tak' me oot o' my present state.” “He wudna need to be very parteeklar,” says I, juist to gie Mysie a backca'.