Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Backward?

\Back"ward\, Backwards \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.
\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.
\Back"ward\, n. The state behind or past. [Obs.] In the dark backward and abysm of time. --Shak.
\Back"ward\, v. i. To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.]