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backbencher

[bak-ben-cher, -ben-]
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noun
  1. any of the members of a legislature, especially of the House of Commons of Great Britain, but not including the leaders of the parties.
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Origin of backbencher

First recorded in 1905–10; back bench + -er1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for backbencher

backbencher

noun
  1. British, Australian and NZ a Member of Parliament who does not hold office in the government or opposition
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for backbencher

n.

1874 in the House of Commons sense, from back (adj.) + bench (n.); occupants of the rear seats being the least-prominent politicians.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper