{ 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.

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. t. To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.]

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• reluctant or unable to advance
  
• (Cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease
  
• (Cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else
  
• (of motion) in the direction towards the back; backwards