backspace
<character> (BS) ASCII code 8, Control-H. The control character that
should cause most output devices to move their current output position back to
the previous character so that the next character output will replace (or
overprint) it. Inputting a backspace (typically by pressing the backspace key)
causes many systems to delete the character before the input cursor, though
others use delete for this.
See twirling baton for an imaginitive use of backspace.
(2003-10-25)
Nearby terms:
backronym « backside cache « backslash « backspace »
backtick » backtracking » backup
