behind
UK[bɪˈhaɪnd]US[bɪˈhaɪnd]
prep
at or to the back of someone or something
prep
less advanced than someone or something; making less progress
adv
at or to the back of someone or something
adv
in a place where someone or something is later found or left
Etymology
The word 'behind' is a compound formed in Old English from the prepositional elements 'be-' (by, near) and 'hindan' (from behind). The latter component, 'hindan', is related to the adjective 'hind' meaning rear or back, which traces back to Proto-Germanic. This Germanic root is connected to the Proto-Indo-European base kem-, meaning 'without' or 'beside', which also influenced words denoting absence or posterior position. Over time, the literal spatial sense of being at the back of something broadened to include metaphorical uses concerning lateness, inferiority, or support, encapsulating both physical and abstract relations of position and sequence.
Analysis
N/A
Examples
The sun disappeared behind the clouds.
Our research is behind schedule.
He left his gloves behind in the car.