Backward \Back"ward\, v. i. To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Backward \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Backward \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Backward \Back"ward\, n. The state behind or past. [Obs.]

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

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)