background

Definition: (1) Part or element of scene that is behind -- i.e. more distant from the observer than -- the foreground. It usually appears above the foreground in the image. (2) See backdrop. (3) Surroundings or environment in which measurement or capture of image is made. * E.g. (a) images are captured digitally against background of electronic noise which increases with higher sensitivity (b) a red square against a blue background appears more intense than the same square on a white background. (4) Computer activity which takes place 'behind' or at a lower priority than the foreground application e.g. printing can take place in the background while word processing a different document continues in the foreground.

Related Terms: noise

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