backwardadv.adj.n.²

Brit.

/ˈbakwəd/, U.S.

/ˈbækwərd/

Forms: Middle English–1500s bak-, bac-, backward(e, Middle English bakeword, 1500s bacewarde, (Scottish bakwart), 1500s–1600s backeward, 1500s– backward.

Etymology: originally aphetic form of abackward adv.; but subsequently referred directly to back n.¹: see -ward suffix. Primarily abackward differed < aback, in expressing direction rather than completed motion; and this still to some extent distinguishes backward < back.

A. adv.

I. Towards one's back, or the back of anything.

a. Of motion: In the direction of one's back or of that to which one's back is turned, as to lean backward, bend backward, fall backward, push backward, be pushed backward.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adverb] > in backward direction > in direction of one's or its back

backward1330

backa1400

1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 190 He smote him in the helm, bakwarde he bare his stroupe.

1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xiii. xxvi. 456 By vyolente puttynge of ayre bakward the body of the byrde meuyth forwarde.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. iv. 18 He fell downe bacwarde from the seate..and brake his neck.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy xv. 6636 Bold men bakward borne of hor horses.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 101 Clouds of Sand arise; Spurn'd, and cast backward on the Follower's Eyes.

1792 Rules & Regulations His Majesty's Forces i. 15 Bending backward or forward is not to be permitted.

1797 T. Holcroft tr. F. L. Stolberg Trav. II. lx. 362 Short horns bent backward.

1813 Examiner 29 Mar. 207/1 The bending of the back bone, backward and forward.

b. With verbs of continuous motion, as walk backward, ride backward, this passes from simple direction, into a description of the constant position of the body in relation to the varying direction of motion; = With the back foremost, with the face to the rear.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [adverb]

abackOE

ruglingc1225

abackwardc1275

backwarda1300

hindwarda1300

arsewardly1530

arseward1553

rearward1604

retrogradea1620

aversively?1624

arsewards1648

retrogradely1658

regressively1755

backlings1786

tailwise1825

rearwards1835

bass-ackwardsa1865

arseling1887

bass-ackward1902

ass-backwards1934

backasswards1951

backassward1961

a1300 Cursor Mundi 2042 A mantil on his nec he tok & bakward ȝod, als sais þe bok.

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Gen. ix. 23 Sem and Jafeth..ȝeden bacward.

1561 tr. J. Calvin Foure Godlye Serm. Idolatries iv. sig. K.v Like kicking and resty horses, more ready to go backwarde than forward.

1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 206 If like a Crabbe, you could goe backeward.

1728 C. Cibber Vanbrugh's Provok'd Husband i. i. 16 Doll puked a little with riding backwards.

1842 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. V. viii. 124 We walk to heaven backward.

1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel I. ii. x. 148 He turned sharply round..and, with his arms still folded on his breast, he walked backward, as if not to lose the view.

c. to go backward: to retire for a necessary purpose (hence said of the action). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > defecation or urination > [verb (intransitive)]

to do one's business1596

to pluck a rose1613

to pay a call1648

to go backward1748

go1804

to do (one's) duty1935

to wash one's hands1938

to spend a penny1945

perform1963

1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random I. xi. 80 My companion's bowels being disordered, he got up, in order to go backward.

1771 J. Sparrow tr. H. F. Le Dran Observ. Surg. (ed. 4) 185 The Patient..went backward immediately.

1771 J. Sparrow tr. H. F. Le Dran Observ. Surg. (ed. 4) 210 No Discharge backward.

†2. Of position: With the back towards the front, the company, centre of attention, etc. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > inversion > [adverb] > reversed or turned the wrong way

awkward1340

backwarda1475

wrong-way1693

reversely1752

reversewise1800

wrong-wise1849

back to front1869

hindside-foremost1929

arseways1938

a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 121 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 302 Ne bacwarde sittande gyf noȝt þy cupe.

†3. Of position: Toward the back or rear of a place; away from the front. archaic or Obsolete; commonly back, to the back, at the back.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adverb] > in backward direction > towards the back of a place

backwarda1500

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxii. 272 Whi stand ye so bakward?

1673 W. Wycherley Gentleman Dancing-master (1735) i. i. 12 You know my Chamber is backward, and has a door into the Gallery.

1715 London Gaz. No. 5328/4 A small Scar lying backward under one of his Jaws.

1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 1 Apr. (1965) I. 343 The Women's Apartments are all built backward, remov'd from sight.

1730 J. T. Desaguliers in Philos. Trans. 1729–30 (Royal Soc.) 36 202 If the Pulley be set backwarder still.

1812 Examiner 19 Oct. 672/2 Some injury is also done backward.

II. Towards what is behind in position or course.

4. In the direction which, so far as concerns one's general or ordinary position, is behind one, or from which one is moving, e.g. to look, turn the head backward. archaic; commonly back, behind.This connects the present section with I.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adverb] > in backward direction

hindwarda1300

behindc1340

backwardc1386

arrear1393

awkwardc1440

behindwardc1440

back-half1470

backc1500

backwardly1552

rearward1604

tailwards1617

aversely1646

hindlongs1668

rearwards1835

rearwardly1856

arseling1887

c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 764 Sche loketh bakward to the lond.

1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) John xx. 14 Sche turnede bacward, and sai Jhesu stondinge.

a1576 Bp. J. Pilkington Godlie Expos. Nehemiah (1585) 406 Let us..not look backward but go on forth.

1611 Bible (King James) Gen. ix. 23 Shem and Iaphet..went backward [= A. 1b]..and their faces were backward.

1695 Ld. Preston tr. Boethius Of Consol. Philos. iii. 157 That he his Eyes shan't backward cast.

1728 E. Young Love of Fame i, in Wks. (1757) I. 84 Men should press forward in fame's glorious chace; Nobles look backward, and so lose the race.

1855 Browning in Sat. Rev. No. 4. 69 Whom else could I dare look backward for?

a. In the direction from which one has come, towards the place of starting, in the opposite direction from that in which one has advanced.Not properly used of persons, animals, etc., where it would be ambiguous; e.g. a ball may roll backward, a stream flow backward, but a man after proceeding so far will begin to walk back or in the opposite direction, not backward, unless in sense A. 1b. But see A. 5b.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [adverb] > in direction originally come from

backwardc1374

abackwardsa1477

backa1535

c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iv. 1525 And thou Simois..Returne backwarde to thy well.

1517 R. Torkington Oldest Diarie Englysshe Trav. (1884) 57 We..sumtyme sealyd bakward, sumtyme forward.

1517 R. Torkington Oldest Diarie Englysshe Trav. (1884) 63 We made Sayle bakward j C myle.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Esdras xvi. 16 Like as an arowe..returneth not bacwarde.

?1579 Woorthie Enterprise I. Foxe in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) i. 152 The Keeper..straightway suspected the matter: and returning backeward [etc.].

1673 J. Dryden Assignation v. iv. 78 Like some impetuous flood, which Masterd once, With double force bends backward.

1802 Chron. Scot. Poetry iv. Introd. 37 The hope..of the Angli began to melt and flow backward.

1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. xi. 41 Backward force the waves of Time.

b. backward and forward: to and fro; also figurative of vacillation, uncertain speech, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > vacillation [phrase]

backward and forward1581

to go (also look) nine ways (at once, at thrice)a1617

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > to and fro [phrase]

hither and thitherc725

downa1200

to and fro1340

to and again1612

back and forward1613

sourse deorse1616

backward and forwarda1711

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > [phrase] > back and forth

to and fro1340

to and again1612

back and forward1613

backward and forwarda1711

1581 W. Fulke in A. Nowell et al. True Rep. Disput. E. Campion (1584) iii. sig. Y iij b Euen nowe, you denied..and now you graunt it: you go backward and foreward.

1680 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 57 Goeing backward and forward in his accusation.

a1711 T. Ken Hymnotheo in Wks. (1721) III. 274 The Serpent wav'd his Carcase..Backward and forward.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 569 The boy went backward and forward in his story.

1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §237 Carried backward and forward in the yawls every tide.

1833 T. B. Macaulay War Succession in Spain in Ess. (1848) II. 93 Imputations..utterly unfounded..were hurled backward and forward by the political disputants.

1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 2 This regular backward-and-forward movement of the great mass of water.

6. In the direction of retreat. (Commonly back.) †to go backward: to recede, retreat; to relapse, backslide (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > aspects of faith > apostasy > be or become apostate [verb (intransitive)]

renayc1300

to go backward1382

to fall awayc1384

to stand behindc1475

to turn (one's) tippet1546

relapse1563

backslide1581

apostate1596

apostatize1611

renegade1611

apostasize1696

renegado1731

renege1744

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [adverb] > in direction of retreat

backward1382

1382 J. Wyclif Psalms xl. 14 Be thei turned al bacward.

c1400 Rom. Rose 5024 The joy that is eterne, Fro which go bakward Youthe her made.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. i. A They haue prouoked the holy one of Israel vnto anger, and are gone bacward.

1611 Bible (King James) Isa. i. 4 Let them be driuen backward, and put to shame.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 223 The flames Drivn backward slope their pointing spires.

1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus iii. i. 99 They are beaten backward from the palace.

7. figurative. Towards a worse state, implying retrogression, check, etc. (More commonly back.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > relapse > [adverb]

back1535

backward1582

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 31 Al things goa backward.

a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. i. 214 The fated skye..doth backward pull Our slow designes.

1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio Theodore & Honoria in Fables 258 The Work went backward; and the more he strove T'advance his Sute, the farther from her Love.

1772 J. Marshall Travels 1768–70 II. v. 270 It is impossible that industry and commerce should be stationary; if it ceases to advance, it will go backward.

8. Of time:

a. Towards the past.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > [adverb] > backwards in time or into the past

upwardc1055

backward1562

retro1634

upwards1689

back1711

recessively1880

1562 Bp. J. Pilkington Aggeus ii, in Wks. (1842) 176 He bids them look backward..whole forty years.

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. F4^v By a computation backward from our selues.

1625 C. Burges New Discouery Personal Tithes 55 This Statute extendeth to 40 yeares backe-ward.

1871 S. Smiles Character xi. 305 It glorifies the present by the light it casts backward.

b. In the past. (archaic; commonly back.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > [adverb]

erea822

fernOE

whileOE

erera1000

whilereOE

onceOE

somewhile1154

whilomc1175

herebeforec1200

somewhilesa1250

yorea1250

orc1275

rather?a1300

erewhilec1305

sometimea1325

sometimec1330

at or in sometime1340

in arrear1340

heretoforea1375

fernyear1377

once upon a timec1380

behinds1382

beforetimea1393

of olda1393

erenow1393

umquhilea1400

erst14..

fornec1400

yore whilec1400

of before1402

late1423

abefore1431

beforetimes1449

whilesc1480

sometime1490

aforrow?a1513

behind1526

quondamc1540

in foretime(s?c1550

erstwhile1569

erstwhiles1569

aleare1581

erewhiles1584

sometimes1597

formerly1599

anciently1624

olim1645

somewhile since1652

quondamly1663

forepassed1664

sometimea1684

backward1691

historically1753

time back1812

had-been1835

when1962

1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 31 For any number of years backward.

III. In the reverse direction or order. [Arising out of 5.]

a. In a direction opposite to the normal one, the reverse way; from end to beginning.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > [adverb] > in direction opposite to usual

widdershins1513

backward1530

the world > space > direction > [adverb] > in the opposite or reverse direction > in opposite direction to usual

widdershins1513

backward1530

1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 295 Eua turned bacwarde spellyth aue.

1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. i. 46 What is Ab speld backward with the horne on his head?

1664 J. Playford Brief Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 4) i. 91 The first Note must be plaid with the Bow drawn backward.

1845 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 210 Rites forbid and backward-jabbered prayers.

1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 23/1 The root of the costermonger tongue,..is to give the words spelt backward.

b. figurative. The wrong way, perversely.

ΚΠ

1559 D. Lindsay Test. Papyngo l. 706 in Wks. (1931) I Deuotely saye..The auld Placebo bakwart.

1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iii. i. 61 I neuer yet saw man..how rarely featured. But she would spel him backward .

10. Phrase: to ring bells backward: to ring them beginning with the bass bell, in order to give alarm of fire or invasion, or express dismay.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > signalling > audible signalling > ringing of bells as signal > ring (a bell) as signal [verb (intransitive)] > ring bells as alarm

to ring bells backwardc1500

to ring awk1636

society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > bell-ringing > [verb (intransitive)] > ring backwards

to ring bells backwardc1500

to ring awk1636

c1500 Adam Bel 346 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) II. 153 There was many an oute horne in Carlyll blowen, And the belles bacewarde did they rynge.

1590 R. Harvey Plaine Percevall sig. B^v I heare the bels ring backward, and the fire runne forward.

1647 J. Cleveland Poems in Char. London-diurnall (Wing C4662) 35 Ring the bells backward; I am all on fire.

1672 R. Wild Let. Declar. Liberty Conscience 11 [They] talk'd of Bells and Bonfires; but none..durst begin, for fear they should..when the Parliament meet, be forced to ring the Bells backward.

1830 W. Scott Bonnets Bonny Dundee in Doom of Devorgoil ii. i. 113 The bells are rung backward, the drums they are beat.

†11. Contrariwise, e converso, vice versa. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > [adverb] > vice versa

againwardslOE

againward1340

econtrary1512

arsy-versy1542

econverse1547

e contra1548

contrariwise1570

contrair1596

e contrario1599

vice versa1601

backward1607

conversively1607

contrarily1656

convertibly1692

the other way1692

reversely1726

conversely1806

vicey-versey1858

1607 L. Andrewes Serm. IV. 10 All that ‘rise against,’ are ‘enemies,’ but not backward. For enemies may be such as stand on even ground.

B. adj. [attributive (often elliptical) use of the adv.; but analogous to adjectives in -ward suffix of Old English origin.]

1. In Cricket, directed to the back or rear. (a) of play or a player = back play n. at back- comb. form 2; (b) of a fielder or his or her position: farther from the line of the wicket than is standard practice, as backward point, the position of point when standing a little behind the line of the wicket for certain kinds of bowling.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adjective] > having backward direction

backward1552

reflexed1595

reverted1658

refluent1741

retroverse1841

rearward1843

revert1854

retral1885

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > fielding > [adjective] > fielding positions

silly1862

deep1867

fine1882

backward point1904

1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Backwarde, recuruus..retrorsus.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 97 With backward Bows the Parthians shall be there.

1844 Lillywhite's Illustr. Hand-bk. Cricket 18 The length to pitch your ball depends very much upon your pace, as well as the batsman's style of forward, or backward play.

1870 New Sporting Mag. Aug. 112 It was a great treat to see a forward player and a backward player in together.

1882 Proper Pride ii. 145 Many regretful backward glances.

1883 Loomis Treat. Astron. 18 The forward motion of a boat..gives to the banks an appearance of backward motion.

1904 P. F. Warner How we recovered Ashes ix. 189 Rhodes caught him easily at backward point.

1926 Times 19 Aug. 5/2 He had Mr. Ponsford caught at backward point.

1955 Times 9 May 15/1 He would certainly have benefited from a backward short leg.

1959 Daily Mail 20 Feb. 10/4 The ball was turned by Cowdrey sharply to backward square leg.

figurative.1860 J. Young Province Reason 45 The last, dim..point in the backward stretch of the reason.

2. Directed in the opposite way; of or pertaining to return.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [adjective] > returning towards point of departure > of or relating to or of nature of

backwarda1616

recoursary1662

retrorsal1840

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. iii. 39 Their backward course.

1820 J. Keats Hyperion: a Fragm. i, in Lamia & Other Poems 154 With backward footing through the shade.

1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. iii. 81 And takes the backward way with trembling limbs.

1884 Great Western Railway Time Tables July 87 Available for Two Calendar Months for completion of the forward and backward journeys.

3. Done in the reverse way or order; reversed.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > direction > [adjective] > reverse direction

backward1725

1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. ii. 124 The backward labours of her faithless hand.

1727 J. Gay Fables I. xxiii. 17 She mumbles forth her backward prayers.

1878 B. Stewart & P. G. Tait Unseen Universe vii. §230 When the backward process has reached this germ.

†4. Perverse, unfavourable. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > [adjective] > unfavourable

contrariousc1320

bada1325

contraryinga1340

adversea1393

frowarda1400

contrairc1400

fremd1423

adversant?a1425

sinister1432

perversea1450

undisposed1456

sinistral?a1475

contrary1477

favourless1509

unfriendlya1513

thwarting1530

wayward?1544

contrariant1548

disfavourable1561

cross1565

unindifferent1565

sinistrous1566

haggard1578

unkindly1579

backward1582

awkward1587

improsperous1598

thwart1610

unpropitious1613

averted1619

untoward1621

averse1623

impropitious1638

sinister1726

unfavourable1748

untowardly1756

unfavouring1835

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 2 Stil crost with destenye backward.

a1605 J. Melville Mem. Own Life (1683) 5 Who was so glad as he, to return with this backward answer?

†5. Placed towards or at the back or rear. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > position at the back > [adjective]

afterOE

afterwardOE

hinderc1290

hinderera1340

hinda1400

backc1490

reara1500

posterior1578

rearward1581

backwarda1616

hindsome1634

postica1638

averse1646

postern1648

postical1657

reverse1675

aft1711

retrospective1785

hindward1797

retral1822

western1829

postjacent1878

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 91 His forward voyce now is to speake well of his friend; his backward voice, is to vtter foule speeches.

1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ix. Explan. Terms 163 The backward Hips..in the way of an Angle for the back part of a Building.

1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 171. ⁋9 A lodging in the backward garret of a mean house.

1819 G. Crabbe Tales of Hall I. vii. 157 He..lodges here—he has the backward rooms.

a. Turning or hanging back from action; disinclined to advance or make advances; reluctant, averse, unwilling, loath, chary; shy, bashful.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [adjective]

argha1000

slowOE

unwillyc1200

sweera1300

unfain1338

loathc1374

dangerousc1386

eschewc1386

squeamous1387

obstinate?a1439

unpresta1500

ill-willing?1520

evil-willing1525

untowards1525

untowarda1530

unwilling1533

strange1548

ill-willed1549

dainty1553

relucting1553

squeamish?1553

nicea1560

loathful1561

coyish1566

coy1576

unhearty1583

costive1594

unready1595

tarrowinga1598

undisposed1597

involuntary1598

backward1600

retrograde1602

unpregnant1604

scrupulous1608

unprone1611

refractory1614

behindhanda1616

nilling1620

backwards1627

shya1628

retractable1632

reluctant1638

loughta1641

tendera1641

unapt1640

uninclinable1640

unbeteaming1642

boggling1645

averse1646

indisposed1646

aversant1657

incomposed1660

disinclined1703

unobliging1707

unconsenting1713

uninclined1729

tenacious1766

disinclinable1769

ill-disposed1771

unaffectioned1788

scruplesomec1800

back-handed1817

sweert1817

tharf1828

backward in coming forward1830

unvoluntary1834

misinclined1837

squeamy1838

balky1847

retractive1869

grudging1874

tharfish1876

unwishful1876

safety first1917

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V iv. iii. 72 Perish the man whose mind is backward now.

1659 S. Cradock Knowl. & Pract. i. ii. sig. B3^v Prone to evil, backward to good.

c1680 W. Beveridge Serm. (1729) II. 510 Take pains with your backward hearts to bring them to it.

1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub xi. 210 The Females were nothing backwarder in beholding.

1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting II. ii. 47 The..nobility were not backward with presents of the same nature.

1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 13 The apostles were never backward to combat other Jewish prejudices.

1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. i. i. 5 Percy Metcalfe..was quite as backward as Vivian. Ah! indeed, much backwarder.

b. backward in coming forward, reluctant, shy (to do something). Cf. to come forward at come v. Phrasal verbs 1.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [adjective]

argha1000

slowOE

unwillyc1200

sweera1300

unfain1338

loathc1374

dangerousc1386

eschewc1386

squeamous1387

obstinate?a1439

unpresta1500

ill-willing?1520

evil-willing1525

untowards1525

untowarda1530

unwilling1533

strange1548

ill-willed1549

dainty1553

relucting1553

squeamish?1553

nicea1560

loathful1561

coyish1566

coy1576

unhearty1583

costive1594

unready1595

tarrowinga1598

undisposed1597

involuntary1598

backward1600

retrograde1602

unpregnant1604

scrupulous1608

unprone1611

refractory1614

behindhanda1616

nilling1620

backwards1627

shya1628

retractable1632

reluctant1638

loughta1641

tendera1641

unapt1640

uninclinable1640

unbeteaming1642

boggling1645

averse1646

indisposed1646

aversant1657

incomposed1660

disinclined1703

unobliging1707

unconsenting1713

uninclined1729

tenacious1766

disinclinable1769

ill-disposed1771

unaffectioned1788

scruplesomec1800

back-handed1817

sweert1817

tharf1828

backward in coming forward1830

unvoluntary1834

misinclined1837

squeamy1838

balky1847

retractive1869

grudging1874

tharfish1876

unwishful1876

safety first1917

1830 Fraser's Mag. 1 295 Mr. Hogg..never has been..very backward in coming forward.

1833 C. Dickens Let. ?10 Dec. (1965) I. 33 They are ‘rather backward in coming forward’ with the needful.

1862 A. Trollope Orley Farm II. xxxvii. 291 I must say you're rather backward in coming forward.

1955 L. P. Hartley Perfect Woman xxxii. 293 He's not usually backward in coming forward, is he?

a. Behindhand in respect of time or progress, late.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > [adjective] > advanced towards completion > not

behindhand1542

hinderly1564

unadvanced1603

backward1693

hindward1869

1693 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) III. 15 Which will occasion the French to be 6 weeks backwarder in their preparations.

1777 D. Hume Ess. & Treat. (new ed.) II. 43 A very backward scholar.

1845 R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain I. i. 21 The inns of Spain are in that backward state in which those of Sicily are.

1871 W. Markby Elem. Law §530 The law is here certainly in a backward condition.

1883 tr. Renan's Recoll. Youth 24 If a child was backward in learning to walk.

b. esp. of the season or crops.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [adjective] > late > slow in developing or backward

latesomelOE

lateward1538

late1577

latewardly1580

latterward1582

serotine1598

backward1600

serotinous1656

1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. viii. 38 The yeere..wil prooue backward.

1789 H. L. Piozzi Observ. Journey France I. 8 Harvest..is extremely backward this year.

1812 Examiner 5 Oct. 629/2 Turnips, a fair crop, although backward.

1836 Athenæum No. 440. 241 The season though somewhat backward promises an abundant harvest.

8. Reaching into the past.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > [adjective] > reaching into the past

backward1658

back-looking1850

1658 Narr. Late Parl. 2 A Tax backward to be paid over again.

1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey I. iii. 122 Far as thy mind thro' backward time can see.

1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II ii. xxiv. 73 Each backward year.

9. backward scattering n. = back scattering n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > alpha radiation > [noun] > scattering > in reverse direction

backward scattering1938

back scattering1940

back scatter1957

1938 R. W. Lawson tr. G. von Hevesy & F. A. Paneth Man. Radioactivity (ed. 2) iii. 47 With β-rays..an appreciable fraction of the β-particles is scattered in the backward direction; in fact..the number of electrons emitted..falls off because of this process of backward scattering.

1962 Gloss. Terms Nucl. Sci. (B.S.I.) 12 Backward scattering, the deflexion of particles or of radiation by scattering processes through angles greater than 90° to the original direction of motion.

C. n.² [The adjective or adverb used absolutely.]

†1. literal. The hinder part of the body. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > the body > external parts of body > trunk > back > [noun]

ridgeeOE

backc1000

rigc1300

chinec1475

rigginga1522

posteriority?1533

rigback1591

backward1636

1636 P. Massinger Great Duke of Florence ii. i. sig. D I should Have kiss'd her backward.

2. poetic. The past portion (of time).

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > [noun] > past portion of time

yesterdaysc1400

backwarda1616

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. ii. 50 What seest thou els In the dark-backward and Abisme of Time?

1870 J. R. Lowell My Study Windows 91 One volume of contemporary memoirs..will throw more light into the dark backward of time than, etc.

Compounds

With present participle forming adjectives.

backward-bending adj.

ΚΠ

1932 W. H. Auden Orators ii. 51 He has the same backward-bending thumb that I have.

backward-curving adj.

ΚΠ

1923 D. H. Lawrence Birds, Beasts & Flowers (London ed.) 142 And one intense and backward-curving frisson Seizes you.

backward-facing adj.

ΚΠ

1951 Sci. News Let. 18 Aug. 102/1 Backward-facing seats for passengers in airplanes are again recommended by the U.S. Air Force as a forward step in lessening injuries in case of a crash.

1952 Jrnl. Royal Aeronaut. Soc. 56 91/1 There is no doubt that the backward-facing seat..offers ideal protection.

backward-gazing adj.

ΚΠ

1896 R. Kipling Seven Seas 57 Hedged in a backward-gazing world.

backward-looking adj.

ΚΠ

1846 J. G. Whittier Reformer in Poet. Wks. (1898) 399/1 Backward-looking son of time.

1950 H. J. Massingham Curious Traveller iii. 55 A few lights of experience more memorable to my backward-looking glance than others.

1962 Listener 5 July 28/2 Is this nostalgic, rurally romantic, backward looking art a true reflection of Australia?

backward-sloping adj.

ΚΠ

1944 A. L. Rowse Eng. Spirit 245 That familiar backward-sloping hand.

backward-wending adj.

ΚΠ

1896 A. Austin England's Darling i. i. 2 Egbert's true grandchild..backward-wending pilgrims say, was seen Treading the streets of Pavia all alone.

Draft additions July 2010

backward caste n. = backward class n. at Additions.

ΚΠ

1884 Rep. Director Public Instr. Bombay Presidency 1883–4 App. L. p. xcix [Recommendation] No. 12 recommends larger grants in backward districts and for backward castes and races.

1954 Amer. Sociol. Rev. 19 127/1 The ‘other backward’ castes included a considerable number of specific groups.

1963 Times 24 Sept. 11/6 In Mysore.., the two dominant castes, the Lingayats and the Okkaligas, are both included in the list of backward castes entitled to a share of reservations.

1993 Oxf. Compan. Polit. World 417/2 A decision in 1990 by India's national government to expand preferential treatment to include other backward castes became a volatile issue in Indian politics.

Draft additions July 2010

backward class n. (in India) a socially or economically disadvantaged section of the population (frequently in plural); spec. one for which assistive legislative provision is made. other backward classes: those backward classes who are not designated as belonging to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe (cf. scheduled adj. Compounds); abbreviated OBC.

ΚΠ

1883 Rep. Public Instr. Madras Presidency 1881–2 146 It may also be useful with certain backward classes, as for instance the Mappilas, artisans, and coolies.

1928 Legislative Assembly Deb. (India) 23 Feb. 688 By ‘depressed classes’ I mean those who are regarded as suffering from social disabilities like untouchability. ‘Backward classes’ is a much larger term... It includes many classes which are not untouchable.

1949 Constitution of India Article 348 Such other backward classes as the President may, on receipt of the report of a Commission..by order specify.

1992 Sunday Times of India 19 Apr. 23/1 The Orissa chief minister..said today there was no rift in the Janata Dal over his government favouring the induction of economic criteria in job reservation for backward classes.

2004 S. Mehta Maximum City 60 The Dalits (also known as the untouchables), the ‘scheduled castes and tribes’.., and the ‘other backward classes’..form, as a bloc, the numerical majority in the country.

Draft additions July 2010

backward compatibility n. the capacity of a new product, esp. an electronic device or piece of software, to be used in the place or duplicate the functionality of an older one without special adaptation or modification; cf. backwards compatibility n. at backwards adv. and adj. Additions.

ΚΠ

1971 IEEE Internat. Convent. Digest 310/2 Microprogramming also offers a reasonably efficient simulation of other machines, known as ‘backward compatibility’.

1995 Black Enterprise Oct. 45/1 Software manufacturers are still deciding whether or not they are going to create products that will run on Windows 95... The lack of backward compatibility affects practically everyone.

2007 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 31 Dec. 31 Dec. Disappointments in 2007 included..Sony removing PS2 backward compatibility from the PS3 console to save costs.

Draft additions July 2010

backward-compatible adj. having backward compatibility; cf. backwards-compatible adj. at backwards adv. and adj. Additions.

ΚΠ

1981 Internat. Switching Symp. 3 34 a5/5/1 Backward compatible solid state memories are provided.

1995 Independent 24 Apr. 14/2 New modems are generally ‘backward-compatible’ with older makes and models.

2005 A. Brown & R. G. Picard Digital Terrestial Television Europe xv. 346 Some technical innovations take a long time to be adopted by consumers, especially when the innovation is ‘backward compatible’ (old ‘hardware’ can continue to be used with new improved ‘software’).

Draft additions July 2010

backward difference n. Mathematics each of a set of finite differences calculated by subtracting a previous value of a function f(x) from the present value when the argument x is varied by a small negative amount; frequently attributive; cf. forward difference n. at forward adj., adv., and n. Additions, central difference n. at central adj. Compounds.In symbolic terms, a backward difference ∇_h = f(x) − f(x − h), in contrast to a forward difference, where ∆_h = f(x + h) − f(x).

ΚΠ

1906 Ann. Math. 7 144 The fractions..are simply the forward and backward difference quotients of F at c.

1940 Math. Gaz. 24 240 Another example [of a simplex formula] is..that of various orders of derivatives in terms of forward or backward differences.

1977 D. B. McWhorter & D. K. Sunada Ground-water Hydrol. & Hydraulics vi. 247 Stability is not a problem with the backward difference method.

2005 Amer. Math. Monthly 112 368 The summation f_n(z) is the result of applying the nth backward difference operator to f₀(z) = 1/z.

Draft additions July 2010

backward integration n. Business the expansion of a company to gain control over processes which precede its own in the supply chain, such as manufacturing, acquiring raw materials, etc.; cf. integration n. Additions.

ΚΠ

1906 D. H. MacGregor Industr. Combination i. iv. 95 Backward integration means that control is obtained over lower processes.

1966 T. Lupton Managem. & Social Sci. ii. 40 The growth of the plant was accompanied by, and was partly a consequence of, both technical changes and backward integration towards the raw materials.

2006 D. O. Whitten & B. E. Whitten Birth Big Business in U.S. 1860–1914 iv. xii. 155 Backward integration encouraged technological developments to increase the efficiency of the linkages between the furnaces and the steel plants.

Draft additions July 2010

backward masking n. (a) Psychology the alteration or diminution of the perception of a (visual or auditory) stimulus by a second stimulus which follows it closely; cf. metacontrast n.; (b) the inclusion of a message in a piece of recorded music which can be understood if the music is played backwards, and which is said by some to have a subliminal effect when the music is played normally.

ΚΠ

1959 Jrnl. Acoustical Soc. Amer. 31 1613/2 The measurements described in the present paper were undertaken as a preliminary examination of the backward masking effect in the case of a tone followed by a burst of noise.

1982 Los Angeles Times 28 Apr. i. 3/5 When played forward, the ‘backward masking’ is only a blurred background sound. But when played backward, it makes a decipherable message.

1995 Nature 5 Jan. 21/2 The phenomenon of backward masking, also called metacontrast, is when a later event influences an earlier event in the visual system.

2008 R. Lanham in R. Sheffield Rock & Roll Cage Match 118 The alleged backward masking on ‘Stairway to Heaven’ has traumatized more Baptists than Hillary Clinton.

Draft additions July 2010

backward roll n. any of various gymnastic or acrobatic movements in which a person rolls backwards (on the ground, around a horizontal bar, etc.); spec. one in which a person rolls backwards on the ground with the body in a tucked position; cf. forward roll n. at forward adj., adv., and n. Additions.

ΚΠ

1890 A. Alexander Mod. Gymnastic Exercises II. 99 The ‘Backward Rolls’..are not so difficult to learn.

1934 E. D. Mitchell & B. S. Mason Theory of Play ii. v. 107 The backward roll is the reverse of the forward roll.

2009 Leatherhead Advertiser (Nexis) 15 Jan. 49 Starting with forward and backward rolls, he progressed through handstands, no handed cart wheels, backward flips, and somersaults with twists.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	backward
释义	backwardv. Forms: backard Etymology: < backward adj. Compare to forward.Previous versions of the OED give the stress as: ˈbackward. Obsolete exc. dialect. Also dialect. 1. transitive. To put or keep back, delay, retard. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > hinder in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > hinder or delay bestayc1330 tarry1340 delaya1393 to put aback1450 to pull backa1470 retard1490 tarde1524 retary1526 to throw back1562 forslow1570 backward1594 detain1600 to set back1600 slug1605 retardate1613 tardya1616 taigle?1635 backen1649 remore1652 remorate1657 to cast back1671 to hold up1887 to knock back1945 1594 H. Plat Jewell House 5 Whereby he did greatly backward the tree in his bearing. 1642 Declar. Lords & Comm. 16 Nov. 4 To hinder or backward the said former undertakings. a1660 H. Hammond Serm. (1664) xv. 249 One that doth so clog and trash, so disadvantage and backward us. 1873 M. E. Braddon Lucius Davoren III. xiv. 39 As long as she do fret and werrit herself so, she'll keep backarding of her recovery. †2. intransitive. To send back, return. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > travel > transport > [verb (transitive)] > cause to be conveyed or send > back again remand1439 return1459 remita1466 resend1534 backward1789 reship1854 1789 E. Sheridan Let. in Betsy Sheridan's Jrnl. (1986) vi. 151 The enclosures which to use your own phrase I backward to you. Derivatives backwarding n. the action of going backward; backwarding and forwarding, ‘to-ing and fro-ing’. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] retreat1594 reciprocation1603 retrocession1642 retrogradation1644 disadvancing1659 retrocedence1703 retrogression1704 backening1748 backwarding1765 throwback1851 the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > relapse > [noun] again-falling1340 regressa1522 retrogration1567 regression1583 retrogradationa1609 reincidency1622 recess1641 retrogation1646 setback1669 retrogress1701 retrogression1757 backwarding1765 fallback1830 throwback1856 regressivity1890 the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > [noun] > backwards and forwards recourse1475 reciprocation1646 backwarding and forwarding1765 scissoring1902 1765 Museum Rusticum 3 xlix. 208 It [sc. the cutting-down of the first growth] seems therefore a backwarding of the growth of the hedge several years for no advantage. 1892 R. L. Stevenson & L. Osbourne Wrecker x. 167 And now, after all this backwarding and forwarding, and that hotel clerk, and that bug Bellairs, it'll be a change..to see the schooner. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online September 2021). backwardadv.adj.n.² Brit. /ˈbakwəd/, U.S. /ˈbækwərd/ Forms: Middle English–1500s bak-, bac-, backward(e, Middle English bakeword, 1500s bacewarde, (Scottish bakwart), 1500s–1600s backeward, 1500s– backward. Etymology: originally aphetic form of abackward adv.; but subsequently referred directly to back n.¹: see -ward suffix. Primarily abackward differed < aback, in expressing direction rather than completed motion; and this still to some extent distinguishes backward < back. A. adv. I. Towards one's back, or the back of anything. 1. a. Of motion: In the direction of one's back or of that to which one's back is turned, as to lean backward, bend backward, fall backward, push backward, be pushed backward. ΘΚΠ the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adverb] > in backward direction > in direction of one's or its back backward1330 backa1400 1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 190 He smote him in the helm, bakwarde he bare his stroupe. 1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xiii. xxvi. 456 By vyolente puttynge of ayre bakward the body of the byrde meuyth forwarde. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. iv. 18 He fell downe bacwarde from the seate..and brake his neck. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy xv. 6636 Bold men bakward borne of hor horses. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 101 Clouds of Sand arise; Spurn'd, and cast backward on the Follower's Eyes. View more context for this quotation 1792 Rules & Regulations His Majesty's Forces i. 15 Bending backward or forward is not to be permitted. 1797 T. Holcroft tr. F. L. Stolberg Trav. II. lx. 362 Short horns bent backward. 1813 Examiner 29 Mar. 207/1 The bending of the back bone, backward and forward. b. With verbs of continuous motion, as walk backward, ride backward, this passes from simple direction, into a description of the constant position of the body in relation to the varying direction of motion; = With the back foremost, with the face to the rear. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [adverb] abackOE ruglingc1225 abackwardc1275 backwarda1300 hindwarda1300 arsewardly1530 arseward1553 rearward1604 retrogradea1620 aversively?1624 arsewards1648 retrogradely1658 regressively1755 backlings1786 tailwise1825 rearwards1835 bass-ackwardsa1865 arseling1887 bass-ackward1902 ass-backwards1934 backasswards1951 backassward1961 a1300 Cursor Mundi 2042 A mantil on his nec he tok & bakward ȝod, als sais þe bok. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Gen. ix. 23 Sem and Jafeth..ȝeden bacward. 1561 tr. J. Calvin Foure Godlye Serm. Idolatries iv. sig. K.v Like kicking and resty horses, more ready to go backwarde than forward. 1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 206 If like a Crabbe, you could goe backeward. 1728 C. Cibber Vanbrugh's Provok'd Husband i. i. 16 Doll puked a little with riding backwards. 1842 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. V. viii. 124 We walk to heaven backward. 1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel I. ii. x. 148 He turned sharply round..and, with his arms still folded on his breast, he walked backward, as if not to lose the view. c. to go backward: to retire for a necessary purpose (hence said of the action). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > defecation or urination > [verb (intransitive)] to do one's business1596 to pluck a rose1613 to pay a call1648 to go backward1748 go1804 to do (one's) duty1935 to wash one's hands1938 to spend a penny1945 perform1963 1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random I. xi. 80 My companion's bowels being disordered, he got up, in order to go backward. 1771 J. Sparrow tr. H. F. Le Dran Observ. Surg. (ed. 4) 185 The Patient..went backward immediately. 1771 J. Sparrow tr. H. F. Le Dran Observ. Surg. (ed. 4) 210 No Discharge backward. †2. Of position: With the back towards the front, the company, centre of attention, etc. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > inversion > [adverb] > reversed or turned the wrong way awkward1340 backwarda1475 wrong-way1693 reversely1752 reversewise1800 wrong-wise1849 back to front1869 hindside-foremost1929 arseways1938 a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 121 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 302 Ne bacwarde sittande gyf noȝt þy cupe. †3. Of position: Toward the back or rear of a place; away from the front. archaic or Obsolete; commonly back, to the back, at the back. ΘΚΠ the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adverb] > in backward direction > towards the back of a place backwarda1500 a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxii. 272 Whi stand ye so bakward? 1673 W. Wycherley Gentleman Dancing-master (1735) i. i. 12 You know my Chamber is backward, and has a door into the Gallery. 1715 London Gaz. No. 5328/4 A small Scar lying backward under one of his Jaws. 1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 1 Apr. (1965) I. 343 The Women's Apartments are all built backward, remov'd from sight. 1730 J. T. Desaguliers in Philos. Trans. 1729–30 (Royal Soc.) 36 202 If the Pulley be set backwarder still. 1812 Examiner 19 Oct. 672/2 Some injury is also done backward. II. Towards what is behind in position or course. 4. In the direction which, so far as concerns one's general or ordinary position, is behind one, or from which one is moving, e.g. to look, turn the head backward. archaic; commonly back, behind.This connects the present section with I. ΘΚΠ the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adverb] > in backward direction hindwarda1300 behindc1340 backwardc1386 arrear1393 awkwardc1440 behindwardc1440 back-half1470 backc1500 backwardly1552 rearward1604 tailwards1617 aversely1646 hindlongs1668 rearwards1835 rearwardly1856 arseling1887 c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 764 Sche loketh bakward to the lond. 1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) John xx. 14 Sche turnede bacward, and sai Jhesu stondinge. a1576 Bp. J. Pilkington Godlie Expos. Nehemiah (1585) 406 Let us..not look backward but go on forth. 1611 Bible (King James) Gen. ix. 23 Shem and Iaphet..went backward [= A. 1b]..and their faces were backward. View more context for this quotation 1695 Ld. Preston tr. Boethius Of Consol. Philos. iii. 157 That he his Eyes shan't backward cast. 1728 E. Young Love of Fame i, in Wks. (1757) I. 84 Men should press forward in fame's glorious chace; Nobles look backward, and so lose the race. 1855 Browning in Sat. Rev. No. 4. 69 Whom else could I dare look backward for? 5. a. In the direction from which one has come, towards the place of starting, in the opposite direction from that in which one has advanced.Not properly used of persons, animals, etc., where it would be ambiguous; e.g. a ball may roll backward, a stream flow backward, but a man after proceeding so far will begin to walk back or in the opposite direction, not backward, unless in sense A. 1b. But see A. 5b. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [adverb] > in direction originally come from backwardc1374 abackwardsa1477 backa1535 c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iv. 1525 And thou Simois..Returne backwarde to thy well. 1517 R. Torkington Oldest Diarie Englysshe Trav. (1884) 57 We..sumtyme sealyd bakward, sumtyme forward. 1517 R. Torkington Oldest Diarie Englysshe Trav. (1884) 63 We made Sayle bakward j C myle. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Esdras xvi. 16 Like as an arowe..returneth not bacwarde. ?1579 Woorthie Enterprise I. Foxe in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) i. 152 The Keeper..straightway suspected the matter: and returning backeward [etc.]. 1673 J. Dryden Assignation v. iv. 78 Like some impetuous flood, which Masterd once, With double force bends backward. 1802 Chron. Scot. Poetry iv. Introd. 37 The hope..of the Angli began to melt and flow backward. 1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. xi. 41 Backward force the waves of Time. b. backward and forward: to and fro; also figurative of vacillation, uncertain speech, etc. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > vacillation [phrase] backward and forward1581 to go (also look) nine ways (at once, at thrice)a1617 the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > to and fro [phrase] hither and thitherc725 downa1200 to and fro1340 to and again1612 back and forward1613 sourse deorse1616 backward and forwarda1711 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > [phrase] > back and forth to and fro1340 to and again1612 back and forward1613 backward and forwarda1711 1581 W. Fulke in A. Nowell et al. True Rep. Disput. E. Campion (1584) iii. sig. Y iij b Euen nowe, you denied..and now you graunt it: you go backward and foreward. 1680 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 57 Goeing backward and forward in his accusation. a1711 T. Ken Hymnotheo in Wks. (1721) III. 274 The Serpent wav'd his Carcase..Backward and forward. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 569 The boy went backward and forward in his story. 1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §237 Carried backward and forward in the yawls every tide. 1833 T. B. Macaulay War Succession in Spain in Ess. (1848) II. 93 Imputations..utterly unfounded..were hurled backward and forward by the political disputants. 1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 2 This regular backward-and-forward movement of the great mass of water. 6. In the direction of retreat. (Commonly back.) †to go backward: to recede, retreat; to relapse, backslide (obsolete). ΘΚΠ society > faith > aspects of faith > apostasy > be or become apostate [verb (intransitive)] renayc1300 to go backward1382 to fall awayc1384 to stand behindc1475 to turn (one's) tippet1546 relapse1563 backslide1581 apostate1596 apostatize1611 renegade1611 apostasize1696 renegado1731 renege1744 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [adverb] > in direction of retreat backward1382 1382 J. Wyclif Psalms xl. 14 Be thei turned al bacward. c1400 Rom. Rose 5024 The joy that is eterne, Fro which go bakward Youthe her made. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. i. A They haue prouoked the holy one of Israel vnto anger, and are gone bacward. 1611 Bible (King James) Isa. i. 4 Let them be driuen backward, and put to shame. View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 223 The flames Drivn backward slope their pointing spires. View more context for this quotation 1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus iii. i. 99 They are beaten backward from the palace. 7. figurative. Towards a worse state, implying retrogression, check, etc. (More commonly back.) ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > relapse > [adverb] back1535 backward1582 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 31 Al things goa backward. a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. i. 214 The fated skye..doth backward pull Our slow designes. View more context for this quotation 1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio Theodore & Honoria in Fables 258 The Work went backward; and the more he strove T'advance his Sute, the farther from her Love. 1772 J. Marshall Travels 1768–70 II. v. 270 It is impossible that industry and commerce should be stationary; if it ceases to advance, it will go backward. 8. Of time: a. Towards the past. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > [adverb] > backwards in time or into the past upwardc1055 backward1562 retro1634 upwards1689 back1711 recessively1880 1562 Bp. J. Pilkington Aggeus ii, in Wks. (1842) 176 He bids them look backward..whole forty years. 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. F4^v By a computation backward from our selues. View more context for this quotation 1625 C. Burges New Discouery Personal Tithes 55 This Statute extendeth to 40 yeares backe-ward. 1871 S. Smiles Character xi. 305 It glorifies the present by the light it casts backward. b. In the past. (archaic; commonly back.) ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > [adverb] erea822 fernOE whileOE erera1000 whilereOE onceOE somewhile1154 whilomc1175 herebeforec1200 somewhilesa1250 yorea1250 orc1275 rather?a1300 erewhilec1305 sometimea1325 sometimec1330 at or in sometime1340 in arrear1340 heretoforea1375 fernyear1377 once upon a timec1380 behinds1382 beforetimea1393 of olda1393 erenow1393 umquhilea1400 erst14.. fornec1400 yore whilec1400 of before1402 late1423 abefore1431 beforetimes1449 whilesc1480 sometime1490 aforrow?a1513 behind1526 quondamc1540 in foretime(s?c1550 erstwhile1569 erstwhiles1569 aleare1581 erewhiles1584 sometimes1597 formerly1599 anciently1624 olim1645 somewhile since1652 quondamly1663 forepassed1664 sometimea1684 backward1691 historically1753 time back1812 had-been1835 when1962 1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 31 For any number of years backward. III. In the reverse direction or order. [Arising out of 5.] 9. a. In a direction opposite to the normal one, the reverse way; from end to beginning. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > [adverb] > in direction opposite to usual widdershins1513 backward1530 the world > space > direction > [adverb] > in the opposite or reverse direction > in opposite direction to usual widdershins1513 backward1530 1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 295 Eua turned bacwarde spellyth aue. 1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. i. 46 What is Ab speld backward with the horne on his head? View more context for this quotation 1664 J. Playford Brief Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 4) i. 91 The first Note must be plaid with the Bow drawn backward. 1845 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 210 Rites forbid and backward-jabbered prayers. 1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 23/1 The root of the costermonger tongue,..is to give the words spelt backward. b. figurative. The wrong way, perversely. ΚΠ 1559 D. Lindsay Test. Papyngo l. 706 in Wks. (1931) I Deuotely saye..The auld Placebo bakwart. 1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iii. i. 61 I neuer yet saw man..how rarely featured. But she would spel him backward . View more context for this quotation 10. Phrase: to ring bells backward: to ring them beginning with the bass bell, in order to give alarm of fire or invasion, or express dismay. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > signalling > audible signalling > ringing of bells as signal > ring (a bell) as signal [verb (intransitive)] > ring bells as alarm to ring bells backwardc1500 to ring awk1636 society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > bell-ringing > [verb (intransitive)] > ring backwards to ring bells backwardc1500 to ring awk1636 c1500 Adam Bel 346 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) II. 153 There was many an oute horne in Carlyll blowen, And the belles bacewarde did they rynge. 1590 R. Harvey Plaine Percevall sig. B^v I heare the bels ring backward, and the fire runne forward. 1647 J. Cleveland Poems in Char. London-diurnall (Wing C4662) 35 Ring the bells backward; I am all on fire. 1672 R. Wild Let. Declar. Liberty Conscience 11 [They] talk'd of Bells and Bonfires; but none..durst begin, for fear they should..when the Parliament meet, be forced to ring the Bells backward. 1830 W. Scott Bonnets Bonny Dundee in Doom of Devorgoil ii. i. 113 The bells are rung backward, the drums they are beat. †11. Contrariwise, e converso, vice versa. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > [adverb] > vice versa againwardslOE againward1340 econtrary1512 arsy-versy1542 econverse1547 e contra1548 contrariwise1570 contrair1596 e contrario1599 vice versa1601 backward1607 conversively1607 contrarily1656 convertibly1692 the other way1692 reversely1726 conversely1806 vicey-versey1858 1607 L. Andrewes Serm. IV. 10 All that ‘rise against,’ are ‘enemies,’ but not backward. For enemies may be such as stand on even ground. B. adj. [attributive (often elliptical) use of the adv.; but analogous to adjectives in -ward suffix of Old English origin.] 1. In Cricket, directed to the back or rear. (a) of play or a player = back play n. at back- comb. form 2; (b) of a fielder or his or her position: farther from the line of the wicket than is standard practice, as backward point, the position of point when standing a little behind the line of the wicket for certain kinds of bowling. ΘΚΠ the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adjective] > having backward direction backward1552 reflexed1595 reverted1658 refluent1741 retroverse1841 rearward1843 revert1854 retral1885 society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > fielding > [adjective] > fielding positions silly1862 deep1867 fine1882 backward point1904 1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Backwarde, recuruus..retrorsus. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 97 With backward Bows the Parthians shall be there. View more context for this quotation 1844 Lillywhite's Illustr. Hand-bk. Cricket 18 The length to pitch your ball depends very much upon your pace, as well as the batsman's style of forward, or backward play. 1870 New Sporting Mag. Aug. 112 It was a great treat to see a forward player and a backward player in together. 1882 Proper Pride ii. 145 Many regretful backward glances. 1883 Loomis Treat. Astron. 18 The forward motion of a boat..gives to the banks an appearance of backward motion. 1904 P. F. Warner How we recovered Ashes ix. 189 Rhodes caught him easily at backward point. 1926 Times 19 Aug. 5/2 He had Mr. Ponsford caught at backward point. 1955 Times 9 May 15/1 He would certainly have benefited from a backward short leg. 1959 Daily Mail 20 Feb. 10/4 The ball was turned by Cowdrey sharply to backward square leg. figurative.1860 J. Young Province Reason 45 The last, dim..point in the backward stretch of the reason. 2. Directed in the opposite way; of or pertaining to return. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [adjective] > returning towards point of departure > of or relating to or of nature of backwarda1616 recoursary1662 retrorsal1840 a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. iii. 39 Their backward course. View more context for this quotation 1820 J. Keats Hyperion: a Fragm. i, in Lamia & Other Poems 154 With backward footing through the shade. 1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. iii. 81 And takes the backward way with trembling limbs. 1884 Great Western Railway Time Tables July 87 Available for Two Calendar Months for completion of the forward and backward journeys. 3. Done in the reverse way or order; reversed. ΘΚΠ the world > space > direction > [adjective] > reverse direction backward1725 1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. ii. 124 The backward labours of her faithless hand. 1727 J. Gay Fables I. xxiii. 17 She mumbles forth her backward prayers. 1878 B. Stewart & P. G. Tait Unseen Universe vii. §230 When the backward process has reached this germ. †4. Perverse, unfavourable. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > [adjective] > unfavourable contrariousc1320 bada1325 contraryinga1340 adversea1393 frowarda1400 contrairc1400 fremd1423 adversant?a1425 sinister1432 perversea1450 undisposed1456 sinistral?a1475 contrary1477 favourless1509 unfriendlya1513 thwarting1530 wayward?1544 contrariant1548 disfavourable1561 cross1565 unindifferent1565 sinistrous1566 haggard1578 unkindly1579 backward1582 awkward1587 improsperous1598 thwart1610 unpropitious1613 averted1619 untoward1621 averse1623 impropitious1638 sinister1726 unfavourable1748 untowardly1756 unfavouring1835 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 2 Stil crost with destenye backward. a1605 J. Melville Mem. Own Life (1683) 5 Who was so glad as he, to return with this backward answer? †5. Placed towards or at the back or rear. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > position at the back > [adjective] afterOE afterwardOE hinderc1290 hinderera1340 hinda1400 backc1490 reara1500 posterior1578 rearward1581 backwarda1616 hindsome1634 postica1638 averse1646 postern1648 postical1657 reverse1675 aft1711 retrospective1785 hindward1797 retral1822 western1829 postjacent1878 a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 91 His forward voyce now is to speake well of his friend; his backward voice, is to vtter foule speeches. 1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ix. Explan. Terms 163 The backward Hips..in the way of an Angle for the back part of a Building. 1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 171. ⁋9 A lodging in the backward garret of a mean house. 1819 G. Crabbe Tales of Hall I. vii. 157 He..lodges here—he has the backward rooms. 6. a. Turning or hanging back from action; disinclined to advance or make advances; reluctant, averse, unwilling, loath, chary; shy, bashful. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [adjective] argha1000 slowOE unwillyc1200 sweera1300 unfain1338 loathc1374 dangerousc1386 eschewc1386 squeamous1387 obstinate?a1439 unpresta1500 ill-willing?1520 evil-willing1525 untowards1525 untowarda1530 unwilling1533 strange1548 ill-willed1549 dainty1553 relucting1553 squeamish?1553 nicea1560 loathful1561 coyish1566 coy1576 unhearty1583 costive1594 unready1595 tarrowinga1598 undisposed1597 involuntary1598 backward1600 retrograde1602 unpregnant1604 scrupulous1608 unprone1611 refractory1614 behindhanda1616 nilling1620 backwards1627 shya1628 retractable1632 reluctant1638 loughta1641 tendera1641 unapt1640 uninclinable1640 unbeteaming1642 boggling1645 averse1646 indisposed1646 aversant1657 incomposed1660 disinclined1703 unobliging1707 unconsenting1713 uninclined1729 tenacious1766 disinclinable1769 ill-disposed1771 unaffectioned1788 scruplesomec1800 back-handed1817 sweert1817 tharf1828 backward in coming forward1830 unvoluntary1834 misinclined1837 squeamy1838 balky1847 retractive1869 grudging1874 tharfish1876 unwishful1876 safety first1917 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V iv. iii. 72 Perish the man whose mind is backward now. 1659 S. Cradock Knowl. & Pract. i. ii. sig. B3^v Prone to evil, backward to good. c1680 W. Beveridge Serm. (1729) II. 510 Take pains with your backward hearts to bring them to it. 1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub xi. 210 The Females were nothing backwarder in beholding. 1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting II. ii. 47 The..nobility were not backward with presents of the same nature. 1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 13 The apostles were never backward to combat other Jewish prejudices. 1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. i. i. 5 Percy Metcalfe..was quite as backward as Vivian. Ah! indeed, much backwarder. b. backward in coming forward, reluctant, shy (to do something). Cf. to come forward at come v. Phrasal verbs 1. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [adjective] argha1000 slowOE unwillyc1200 sweera1300 unfain1338 loathc1374 dangerousc1386 eschewc1386 squeamous1387 obstinate?a1439 unpresta1500 ill-willing?1520 evil-willing1525 untowards1525 untowarda1530 unwilling1533 strange1548 ill-willed1549 dainty1553 relucting1553 squeamish?1553 nicea1560 loathful1561 coyish1566 coy1576 unhearty1583 costive1594 unready1595 tarrowinga1598 undisposed1597 involuntary1598 backward1600 retrograde1602 unpregnant1604 scrupulous1608 unprone1611 refractory1614 behindhanda1616 nilling1620 backwards1627 shya1628 retractable1632 reluctant1638 loughta1641 tendera1641 unapt1640 uninclinable1640 unbeteaming1642 boggling1645 averse1646 indisposed1646 aversant1657 incomposed1660 disinclined1703 unobliging1707 unconsenting1713 uninclined1729 tenacious1766 disinclinable1769 ill-disposed1771 unaffectioned1788 scruplesomec1800 back-handed1817 sweert1817 tharf1828 backward in coming forward1830 unvoluntary1834 misinclined1837 squeamy1838 balky1847 retractive1869 grudging1874 tharfish1876 unwishful1876 safety first1917 1830 Fraser's Mag. 1 295 Mr. Hogg..never has been..very backward in coming forward. 1833 C. Dickens Let. ?10 Dec. (1965) I. 33 They are ‘rather backward in coming forward’ with the needful. 1862 A. Trollope Orley Farm II. xxxvii. 291 I must say you're rather backward in coming forward. 1955 L. P. Hartley Perfect Woman xxxii. 293 He's not usually backward in coming forward, is he? 7. a. Behindhand in respect of time or progress, late. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > [adjective] > advanced towards completion > not behindhand1542 hinderly1564 unadvanced1603 backward1693 hindward1869 1693 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) III. 15 Which will occasion the French to be 6 weeks backwarder in their preparations. 1777 D. Hume Ess. & Treat. (new ed.) II. 43 A very backward scholar. 1845 R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain I. i. 21 The inns of Spain are in that backward state in which those of Sicily are. 1871 W. Markby Elem. Law §530 The law is here certainly in a backward condition. 1883 tr. Renan's Recoll. Youth 24 If a child was backward in learning to walk. b. esp. of the season or crops. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [adjective] > late > slow in developing or backward latesomelOE lateward1538 late1577 latewardly1580 latterward1582 serotine1598 backward1600 serotinous1656 1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. viii. 38 The yeere..wil prooue backward. 1789 H. L. Piozzi Observ. Journey France I. 8 Harvest..is extremely backward this year. 1812 Examiner 5 Oct. 629/2 Turnips, a fair crop, although backward. 1836 Athenæum No. 440. 241 The season though somewhat backward promises an abundant harvest. 8. Reaching into the past. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > [adjective] > reaching into the past backward1658 back-looking1850 1658 Narr. Late Parl. 2 A Tax backward to be paid over again. 1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey I. iii. 122 Far as thy mind thro' backward time can see. 1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II ii. xxiv. 73 Each backward year. 9. backward scattering n. = back scattering n. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > alpha radiation > [noun] > scattering > in reverse direction backward scattering1938 back scattering1940 back scatter1957 1938 R. W. Lawson tr. G. von Hevesy & F. A. Paneth Man. Radioactivity (ed. 2) iii. 47 With β-rays..an appreciable fraction of the β-particles is scattered in the backward direction; in fact..the number of electrons emitted..falls off because of this process of backward scattering. 1962 Gloss. Terms Nucl. Sci. (B.S.I.) 12 Backward scattering, the deflexion of particles or of radiation by scattering processes through angles greater than 90° to the original direction of motion. C. n.² [The adjective or adverb used absolutely.] †1. literal. The hinder part of the body. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > external parts of body > trunk > back > [noun] ridgeeOE backc1000 rigc1300 chinec1475 rigginga1522 posteriority?1533 rigback1591 backward1636 1636 P. Massinger Great Duke of Florence ii. i. sig. D I should Have kiss'd her backward. 2. poetic. The past portion (of time). ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > [noun] > past portion of time yesterdaysc1400 backwarda1616 a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. ii. 50 What seest thou els In the dark-backward and Abisme of Time? 1870 J. R. Lowell My Study Windows 91 One volume of contemporary memoirs..will throw more light into the dark backward of time than, etc. Compounds With present participle forming adjectives. backward-bending adj. ΚΠ 1932 W. H. Auden Orators ii. 51 He has the same backward-bending thumb that I have. backward-curving adj. ΚΠ 1923 D. H. Lawrence Birds, Beasts & Flowers (London ed.) 142 And one intense and backward-curving frisson Seizes you. backward-facing adj. ΚΠ 1951 Sci. News Let. 18 Aug. 102/1 Backward-facing seats for passengers in airplanes are again recommended by the U.S. Air Force as a forward step in lessening injuries in case of a crash. 1952 Jrnl. Royal Aeronaut. Soc. 56 91/1 There is no doubt that the backward-facing seat..offers ideal protection. backward-gazing adj. ΚΠ 1896 R. Kipling Seven Seas 57 Hedged in a backward-gazing world. backward-looking adj. ΚΠ 1846 J. G. Whittier Reformer in Poet. Wks. (1898) 399/1 Backward-looking son of time. 1950 H. J. Massingham Curious Traveller iii. 55 A few lights of experience more memorable to my backward-looking glance than others. 1962 Listener 5 July 28/2 Is this nostalgic, rurally romantic, backward looking art a true reflection of Australia? backward-sloping adj. ΚΠ 1944 A. L. Rowse Eng. Spirit 245 That familiar backward-sloping hand. backward-wending adj. ΚΠ 1896 A. Austin England's Darling i. i. 2 Egbert's true grandchild..backward-wending pilgrims say, was seen Treading the streets of Pavia all alone. Draft additions July 2010 backward caste n. = backward class n. at Additions. ΚΠ 1884 Rep. Director Public Instr. Bombay Presidency 1883–4 App. L. p. xcix [Recommendation] No. 12 recommends larger grants in backward districts and for backward castes and races. 1954 Amer. Sociol. Rev. 19 127/1 The ‘other backward’ castes included a considerable number of specific groups. 1963 Times 24 Sept. 11/6 In Mysore.., the two dominant castes, the Lingayats and the Okkaligas, are both included in the list of backward castes entitled to a share of reservations. 1993 Oxf. Compan. Polit. World 417/2 A decision in 1990 by India's national government to expand preferential treatment to include other backward castes became a volatile issue in Indian politics. Draft additions July 2010 backward class n. (in India) a socially or economically disadvantaged section of the population (frequently in plural); spec. one for which assistive legislative provision is made. other backward classes: those backward classes who are not designated as belonging to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe (cf. scheduled adj. Compounds); abbreviated OBC. ΚΠ 1883 Rep. Public Instr. Madras Presidency 1881–2 146 It may also be useful with certain backward classes, as for instance the Mappilas, artisans, and coolies. 1928 Legislative Assembly Deb. (India) 23 Feb. 688 By ‘depressed classes’ I mean those who are regarded as suffering from social disabilities like untouchability. ‘Backward classes’ is a much larger term... It includes many classes which are not untouchable. 1949 Constitution of India Article 348 Such other backward classes as the President may, on receipt of the report of a Commission..by order specify. 1992 Sunday Times of India 19 Apr. 23/1 The Orissa chief minister..said today there was no rift in the Janata Dal over his government favouring the induction of economic criteria in job reservation for backward classes. 2004 S. Mehta Maximum City 60 The Dalits (also known as the untouchables), the ‘scheduled castes and tribes’.., and the ‘other backward classes’..form, as a bloc, the numerical majority in the country. Draft additions July 2010 backward compatibility n. the capacity of a new product, esp. an electronic device or piece of software, to be used in the place or duplicate the functionality of an older one without special adaptation or modification; cf. backwards compatibility n. at backwards adv. and adj. Additions. ΚΠ 1971 IEEE Internat. Convent. Digest 310/2 Microprogramming also offers a reasonably efficient simulation of other machines, known as ‘backward compatibility’. 1995 Black Enterprise Oct. 45/1 Software manufacturers are still deciding whether or not they are going to create products that will run on Windows 95... The lack of backward compatibility affects practically everyone. 2007 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 31 Dec. 31 Dec. Disappointments in 2007 included..Sony removing PS2 backward compatibility from the PS3 console to save costs. Draft additions July 2010 backward-compatible adj. having backward compatibility; cf. backwards-compatible adj. at backwards adv. and adj. Additions. ΚΠ 1981 Internat. Switching Symp. 3 34 a5/5/1 Backward compatible solid state memories are provided. 1995 Independent 24 Apr. 14/2 New modems are generally ‘backward-compatible’ with older makes and models. 2005 A. Brown & R. G. Picard Digital Terrestial Television Europe xv. 346 Some technical innovations take a long time to be adopted by consumers, especially when the innovation is ‘backward compatible’ (old ‘hardware’ can continue to be used with new improved ‘software’). Draft additions July 2010 backward difference n. Mathematics each of a set of finite differences calculated by subtracting a previous value of a function f(x) from the present value when the argument x is varied by a small negative amount; frequently attributive; cf. forward difference n. at forward adj., adv., and n. Additions, central difference n. at central adj. Compounds.In symbolic terms, a backward difference ∇_h = f(x) − f(x − h), in contrast to a forward difference, where ∆_h = f(x + h) − f(x). ΚΠ 1906 Ann. Math. 7 144 The fractions..are simply the forward and backward difference quotients of F at c. 1940 Math. Gaz. 24 240 Another example [of a simplex formula] is..that of various orders of derivatives in terms of forward or backward differences. 1977 D. B. McWhorter & D. K. Sunada Ground-water Hydrol. & Hydraulics vi. 247 Stability is not a problem with the backward difference method. 2005 Amer. Math. Monthly 112 368 The summation f_n(z) is the result of applying the nth backward difference operator to f₀(z) = 1/z. Draft additions July 2010 backward integration n. Business the expansion of a company to gain control over processes which precede its own in the supply chain, such as manufacturing, acquiring raw materials, etc.; cf. integration n. Additions. ΚΠ 1906 D. H. MacGregor Industr. Combination i. iv. 95 Backward integration means that control is obtained over lower processes. 1966 T. Lupton Managem. & Social Sci. ii. 40 The growth of the plant was accompanied by, and was partly a consequence of, both technical changes and backward integration towards the raw materials. 2006 D. O. Whitten & B. E. Whitten Birth Big Business in U.S. 1860–1914 iv. xii. 155 Backward integration encouraged technological developments to increase the efficiency of the linkages between the furnaces and the steel plants. Draft additions July 2010 backward masking n. (a) Psychology the alteration or diminution of the perception of a (visual or auditory) stimulus by a second stimulus which follows it closely; cf. metacontrast n.; (b) the inclusion of a message in a piece of recorded music which can be understood if the music is played backwards, and which is said by some to have a subliminal effect when the music is played normally. ΚΠ 1959 Jrnl. Acoustical Soc. Amer. 31 1613/2 The measurements described in the present paper were undertaken as a preliminary examination of the backward masking effect in the case of a tone followed by a burst of noise. 1982 Los Angeles Times 28 Apr. i. 3/5 When played forward, the ‘backward masking’ is only a blurred background sound. But when played backward, it makes a decipherable message. 1995 Nature 5 Jan. 21/2 The phenomenon of backward masking, also called metacontrast, is when a later event influences an earlier event in the visual system. 2008 R. Lanham in R. Sheffield Rock & Roll Cage Match 118 The alleged backward masking on ‘Stairway to Heaven’ has traumatized more Baptists than Hillary Clinton. Draft additions July 2010 backward roll n. any of various gymnastic or acrobatic movements in which a person rolls backwards (on the ground, around a horizontal bar, etc.); spec. one in which a person rolls backwards on the ground with the body in a tucked position; cf. forward roll n. at forward adj., adv., and n. Additions. ΚΠ 1890 A. Alexander Mod. Gymnastic Exercises II. 99 The ‘Backward Rolls’..are not so difficult to learn. 1934 E. D. Mitchell & B. S. Mason Theory of Play ii. v. 107 The backward roll is the reverse of the forward roll. 2009 Leatherhead Advertiser (Nexis) 15 Jan. 49 Starting with forward and backward rolls, he progressed through handstands, no handed cart wheels, backward flips, and somersaults with twists. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022). > see also also refers to : † back-wardn.¹ < v.1594adv.adj.n.²a1300 see also
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backwardv.

Derivatives

backwardadv.adj.n.2

Compounds

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> see also

backwardadv.adj.n.²