Back"ward (?), Back"wards (?), adv. [Back, adv. + -ward.]

1.

With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.

2.

Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward.

3.

On the back, or with the back downward.

Thou wilt fall backward. Shak.

4.

Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.

Some reigns backward. Locke.

5.

By way of reflection; reflexively.

Sir J. Davies.

6.

From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.

The work went backward. Dryden.

7.

In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards.

We might have . . . beat them backward home. Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Back"ward, a.

1.

Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.

2.

Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.

For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves. Pope.

3.

Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child.

"The backward learner."

South.

4.

Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.

5.

Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.

6.

Already past or gone; bygone.

[R.]

And flies unconscious o'er each backward year. Byron.

 

© Webster 1913.


Back"ward, n.

The state behind or past.

[Obs.]

In the dark backward and abysm of time. Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Back"ward, v. i.

To keep back; to hinder.

[Obs.]

 

© Webster 1913.

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