BACKWARD; BACKWARDS

adv.

7 definitions — Webster’s Dictionary (1828)


1.
adv.

With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.

2.
adv.

Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward.

3.
adv.

On the back, or with the back downward. Thou wilt fall backward. Shak.

4.
adv.

Toward, or in, past time or events; ago. Some reigns backward. Locke.

5.
adv.

By way of reflection; reflexively. Sir J. Davies.

6.
adv.

From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin. The work went backward. Dryden.

7.
adv.

In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards. We might have . . . beat them backward home. Shak.