Backward | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Bäck'ward or Bäck'wards, adv.

adverb

adv. [back and ward. See WARD.]

Sense 1. With the back in advance; as, to move backward.

Sense 2. Toward the back; as, to throw the arms backward; to move backward and forward.

Sense 3. On the back, or with the back downward. “Thou wilt fall backward.” Shak.

Sense 4. Toward or in past time or events. “Some reigns backward.” Locke.

Sense 5. By way of reflection; reflexively. Davies.

Sense 6. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin. “The work went backward.” Dryden.

Sense 7. In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backward. “We beat them backward home.” Shak.

adjective

a. 1. Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; dilatory. “Backward to be slaves.” Pope. “Backward wills.” Wordsworth.

Dull; not quick of apprehension; behind in progress; inapt. “The backward learner.” South.
Late or behindhand in time; coming after the usual time; as, a backward season.
Already past or gone.

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

noun

The things or state behind or past. [Obs. and very rare.]

In the dark backward or abysm of time. Shak.

verbtransitive

v. t. To hold or keep back; to hinder. [Obs.] Hammond.