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. | 
