Search Result for "backward": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (4)

1. directed or facing toward the back or rear;
- Example: "a backward view"

2. (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature;
- Example: "a backward lover"

3. retarded in intellectual development;
[syn: backward, half-witted, slow-witted, feebleminded]

4. having made less than normal progress;
- Example: "an economically backward country"


ADVERB (3)

1. at or to or toward the back or rear;
- Example: "he moved back"
- Example: "tripped when he stepped backward"
- Example: "she looked rearward out the window of the car"
[syn: back, backward, backwards, rearward, rearwards]

2. in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal;
- Example: "it's easy to get the `i' and the `e'; backward in words like `seize'; and `siege'";
- Example: "the child put her jersey on backward"
[syn: backward, backwards]

3. in or to or toward a past time;
- Example: "set the clocks back an hour"
- Example: "never look back"
- Example: "lovers of the past looking fondly backward"
[syn: back, backward]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Backward \Back"ward\, n.
   The state behind or past. [Obs.]
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         In the dark backward and abysm of time.  --Shak.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Backward \Back"ward\, v. t.
   To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.]
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Backward \Back"ward\, Backwards \Back"wards\, adv. [Back, adv. +
   -ward.]
   1. With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride
      backward.
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   2. Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms
      backward.
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   3. On the back, or with the back downward.
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            Thou wilt fall backward.              --Shak.
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   4. Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.
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            Some reigns backward.                 --Locke.
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   5. By way of reflection; reflexively. --Sir J. Davies.
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   6. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame,
      from religion to sin.
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            The work went backward.               --Dryden.
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   7. In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction;
      contrarily; as, to read backwards.
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            We might have . . . beat them backward home. --Shak.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Backward \Back"ward\, a.
   1. Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.
      [1913 Webster]

            For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves. --Pope.
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   3. Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension;
      dull; inapt; as, a backward child. "The backward learner."
      --South.
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   4. Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.
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   5. Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country
      or region is in a backward state.
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   6. Already past or gone; bygone. [R.]
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            And flies unconscious o'er each backward year.
                                                  --Byron.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

backward
    adv 1: at or to or toward the back or rear; "he moved back";
           "tripped when he stepped backward"; "she looked rearward
           out the window of the car" [syn: back, backward,
           backwards, rearward, rearwards] [ant: forrad,
           forrard, forward, forwards, frontward,
           frontwards]
    2: in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal;
       "it's easy to get the `i' and the `e' backward in words like
       `seize' and `siege'"; "the child put her jersey on backward"
       [syn: backward, backwards]
    3: in or to or toward a past time; "set the clocks back an
       hour"; "never look back"; "lovers of the past looking fondly
       backward" [syn: back, backward] [ant: ahead, forward]
    adj 1: directed or facing toward the back or rear; "a backward
           view" [ant: forward]
    2: (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring
       nature; "a backward lover" [ant: forward]
    3: retarded in intellectual development [syn: backward, half-
       witted, slow-witted, feebleminded]
    4: having made less than normal progress; "an economically
       backward country"