Piggyback

English

Etymology

A corruption of pickaback, itself a corruption of pick-pack, like a pack.

Adjective

Piggyback (comparative more Piggyback, superlative most Piggyback)

File:William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) - Not Too Much To Carry (1895).jpg

1. On somebody's back or shoulders.

   a piggyback ride

Adverb

Piggyback (comparative more Piggyback, superlative most Piggyback)

1. On somebody's back or shoulders.

   to ride piggyback

Verb

Piggyback (third-person singular simple present Piggybacks, present participle Piggybacking, simple past and past participle Piggybacked)

1. (transitive) To attach or append something to another (usually larger) object or event.

   They tried to piggyback that proposal on the rivers and harbors bill.

   The popular host can’t claim credit for the trade, though. The idea wasn’t his. He piggybacked off another successful investor who had a history of picking winners.

2. (transitive, Internet) To obtain a wireless internet connection by bringing one's own computer within the range of another's wireless connection without that subscriber's permission or knowledge.
3. (transitive, Internet) Utilizing last mile wiring (not wireless slang) rented from a larger owner ISP by a smaller ISP, last milers are obligated to sell to competitors in places like Canada.

References

• NY Times, article on wireless piggybacking