Word Direct Answers

What does "backward" mean?

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

Additional senses

  1. 2.On the back, or with the back downward. Thou wilt fall backward. Shak.
  2. 3.Toward, or in, past time or events; ago. Some reigns backward. Locke.
  3. 4.By way of reflection; reflexively. Sir J. Davies.
  4. 5.From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin. The work went backward. Dryden.
  5. 6.In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards. We might have . . . beat them backward home. Shak.
  6. 7.Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
  7. 8.Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath. For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves. Pope.
  8. 9.Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child. "The backward learner." South.
  9. 10.Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.
  10. 11.Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.
  11. 12.Already past or gone; bygone. [R.] And flies unconscious o'er each backward year. Byron.
  12. 13.The state behind or past. [Obs.] In the dark backward and abysm of time. Shak.
  13. 14.To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.]

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