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.
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.
In the dark backward and abysm of time. --Shak.