infodump

or in·fo dump

[ in-foh-duhmp ]

/ ˈɪn foʊˌdʌmp /

Slang.

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noun

a large quantity of backstory, or background information, supplied at once, often as a narrative at the beginning of a story, film, etc.: The first eight pages are heavy with an infodump about Harry’s childhood in Iceland.

verb (used with object)

to provide a large quantity of (backstory) at once: I like when the background is fed to me gradually, rather than just infodumped.

to provide (a reader, viewer, etc.) with a large quantity of backstory at once:If you’re going to infodump us, at least make it interesting.

verb (used without object)

to provide a large quantity of backstory at once: In the rewrite, the author infodumps, which works well for this story.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of infodump

First recorded in 1975–80; info + dump

Words nearby infodump

influenza, influx, info, infobahn, infodemic, infodump, infographic, infold, infolding, infomania, infomaniac