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Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child. "The backward learner." South.

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

Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate. A fair balance of the advantages on either side. Atterbury.

m its lids and socket; -- formerly, the pupil of the eye. -- Ball valve (Mach.), a contrivance by which a ball, placed in a circular cup with a hole in its bottom, operates as a valve. -- Ball vein (Mining), a sort of iron ore, found in loose masses of a globular form, containing sparkling particles. -- Three balls,…

One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather.

A purchase; also ( when not qualified), a gainful transaction; an advantageous purchase; as, to buy a thing at a bargain.

One who proffers some illusory advantage or benefit. Also used as an adj.: Barmecidal. "A Barmecide feast." Dickens.

hostile to extension of slavery, public debts, corporate privileges, etc., and supported Van Buren against Cass for president in 1848; --opposed to Hunker. [Political Cant, U. S.]

A thick, strong stuff, somewhat like camlet; -- still used for outer garments in the Levant.

A place or tract of country, protected by fortifications, or by natural advantages, from which the operations of an army proceed, forward movements are made, supplies are furnished, etc.

The main body, as distinct from the van and rear; battalia. [Obs.] Hayward.

onquin bean, or Tonka bean, the fragrant seed of Dipteryx odorata, a leguminous tree. -- Vanilla bean. See under Vanilla.

A palanquin carrier; also, a house servant. [India]

To overcome in a battle, contest, strife, race, game, etc.; to vanquish or conquer; to surpass. He beat them in a bloody battle. Prescott. For loveliness, it would be hard to beat that. M. Arnold.

Vanquished; conquered; baffled.

To become beautiful; to advance in beauty. Addison.

An advance of; farther onward, in place or time. The golden age . . . is before us. Carlyle.

In a state of anticipation ore preoccupation; in advance; -- often followed by with. Agricola . . . resolves to be beforehand with the danger. Milton. The last cited author has been beforehand with me. Addison.

Advantage; favor; stead; benefit; interest; profit; support; defense; vindication. In behalf of his mistress's beauty. Sir P. Sidney. Against whom he had contracted some prejudice in behalf of his nation. Clarendon. In behalf of, in the interest of. -- On behalf of, on account of; on the part of.

Advantage; profit; benefit; interest; use. No mean recompense it brings To your behoof. Milton.