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-FRIEND, n. A supporter; one who does his best for another. Rare in St.Eng.Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian (1829) xii.:
Poverty is a bad back-friend, Reuben.Sc. 1822 Scott F. Nigel xv.:
Ye have back-friends, my lord, that is unfriends — or, to be plain, enemies — about the person of the Prince. [Here it is used enigmatically.]Slk. a.1835 Hogg Tales, etc. (1837) VI. 193:
You shall find you have some good back-friends there.
