An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

In a radiotelescope, the unit forming the end part of the reception chain. It generally consists of a spectrometer and performs frequency analysis of the signals. → front-end.

Etymology (EN): Back-end, from → back + end, from
M.E., O.E. ende (cf. Du. einde, O.H.G. enti “top, forehead, end,” Ger. ende, Goth. andeis “end”), originally “the opposite side,” from PIE *antjo “end, boundary,” from base *anta-/*anti- “opposite, in front of, before.”

Etymology (PE): Pas-tah, from pas, → back, + tah “end,” Mid.Pers. tah “bottom.” The origin of this term is not clear. It may be related to Gk. tenagos “bottom, swamp,” Latvian tigas«i>*tingas < *tenegos “depth,” PIE *tenegos “water bottom.”