\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.]