Foreground vs. Background
Foregroundnoun
The elements of an image which lie closest to the picture plane.
Foregroundnoun
The subject of an image, often depicted at the bottom in a two-dimensional work.
Foregroundnoun
(computing) the application the user is currently interacting with; the application window that appears in front of all others.
Foregroundverb
To place in the foreground (physically or metaphorically)
Foregroundnoun
On a painting, and sometimes in a bas-relief, mosaic picture, or the like, that part of the scene represented, which is nearest to the spectator, and therefore occupies the lowest part of the work of art itself. Cf. Distance, n., 6.
Foregroundnoun
the part of a scene that is near the viewer
Foregroundnoun
(computer science) a window for an active application
Foregroundverb
move into the foreground to make more visible or prominent;
Backgroundadjective
Less important in a scene.
Backgroundnoun
One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.
Backgroundnoun
A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.
Backgroundnoun
Information relevant to the current situation about past events; history.
Backgroundnoun
A less important feature of scenery (as opposed to foreground).
Backgroundnoun
(computing) The image or color over which a computer's desktop items are shown (e.g. icons or application windows).
Backgroundnoun
(computing) A type of activity on a computer that is not normally visible to the user.
Backgroundverb
To put in a position that is not prominent.
Backgroundverb
(journalism) To gather and provide background information (on).
Backgroundnoun
Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
Backgroundnoun
The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.
Backgroundnoun
A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
Backgroundnoun
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 background{5}; as, against the background of their expulsion by the Serbs, the desire of Kosovars for vengeance is understandable though regrettable.
Backgroundnoun
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.
Backgroundnoun
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.
Backgroundnoun
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training;
Backgroundnoun
the part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground;
Backgroundnoun
information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem;
Backgroundnoun
extraneous signals that can be confused with the phenomenon to be observed or measured;
Backgroundnoun
relatively unimportant or inconspicuous accompanying situation;
Backgroundnoun
the state of the environment in which a situation exists;
Backgroundnoun
(computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear
Backgroundnoun
scenery hung at back of stage
Backgroundverb
understate the importance or quality of;
Backgroundnoun
the part of a picture, scene, or design that forms a setting for the main figures or objects, or appears furthest from the viewer
Backgroundnoun
a less important or conspicuous position or function
Backgroundnoun
used in reference to tasks or processes that do not need input from the user
Backgroundnoun
unwanted signals, such as noise in the reception or recording of sound.
Backgroundverb
form a background to
Backgroundverb
provide with background
