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.