backslash

back-slash · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A typographical mark (\) used especially in computing to indicate file paths, escape sequences, or special characters.

  2. 2.

    (verb) To use the backslash character in computing or typing.

Forms

plural: backslashes

Related words

Antonyms: forward slash, slash
See also: escape character, punctuation, slash
Synonyms: reverse solidus

Etymology

From English back + slash, so called because the character leans backward compared to the forward slash (/).