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backdate

backdate

1 7.5
A date on a document that is earlier than when it was made
  • noun
  • /ˈbækˌdeɪt/
: fecha retroactiva
  • The report included a backdate to February 15, even though it was submitted in March.
  • backdated options

Examples

  • When the accountant reviewed the file, she found a backdate indicating an earlier approval date for the project.

  • She noticed the backdate on the contract was set for last year, which raised some concerns.

  • The accountant noticed a suspicious backdate on several invoices from last quarter.

  • Because of the error, the company removed the incorrect backdate before filing its taxes.

  • Lawyers argued the contract's backdate made the agreement void under state law.

  • The contract had a backdate of January 1st.

  • Many forms require a backdate for tax purposes.

Surface Forms

backdate singular
backdates plural

Morphology

backdate = date (transparent) = back + date

The noun denotes a 'date' that is earlier than the actual one; formed transparently from 'back' + 'date'.

Etymology

The word backdate (as a noun) comes from the same parts back ('toward the past') and date ('a calendar day'), and it means a date put 'back' in time. That's why a backdate on a document is a date earlier than when the paper was actually made.