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Noun: backdown  'bak,dawn
  1. A retraction of a previously held position
    - withdrawal, climb-down
Verb: back down  bak dawn
  1. Move backwards from a certain position
    "The bully had to back down";
    - back up, back off
     
  2. Remove oneself from an obligation
    "He backed down when he heard how much work was involved";
    - chicken out [informal], back off, pull out, bow out

Derived forms: backed down, backdowns, backing down, backs down

See also: back

Type of: abjuration, draw back, move back, pull away, pull back, recantation, recede, retire, retraction, retreat, withdraw