adj. (pr. pple.) Obs. In 3 -inde, 6–9 -and, 7 -end, 8 -ind. [OE. bæc-berende, f. bæc back + berende, pr. pple. of beran to BEAR: see prec.] Bearing on the back: an OE. combination, long retained as a law-term to describe a thief caught in the act of thus carrying off stolen property. Sometimes modernized as back-bearing.
1292. Britton, I. xxx. § 6. Acun laroun ou robbeour seisi de soen larcyn handhabbynde et bacberinde.
c. 1550. Sir J. Balfour, Practicks (1754), 37. Theives tane and apprehendit in manifest thift, sic as hand-havand and back-beirand.
1641. Termes de la Ley, 36 b. Backberind theefe.
1822. Edin. Rev., XXXVI. 295. If the offender could be taken back-bearing.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, iv. Our hand-habend, our back-berand, and our blood-suits.
