With the back in advance; as, to move backward.

Toward the back; as, to throw the arms backward; to move backwards and forwards.

On the back, or with the back downwards; as, to fall backward.

Toward past times or events; as to look backward on the history of man.

By way of reflection; reflexively.

From a better to a worse state; as, public affairs go backward.

In time past; as, let us look some ages backward.

Perversely; from a wrong end. I never yet saw man but she would spell him backward.

Towards the beginning; in an order contrary to the natural order; as, to read backward.

In a scriptural sense, to go or turn backward, is to rebel, apostatize, or relapse into sin, or idolatry. Isaiah 1:4.

Contrarily; in a contrary manner. To be driven or turned backward, is to be defeated, or disappointed. Psalm 40:14. turn judgment backward, is to pervert justice and laws. Isaiah 59:14.

Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating. For wiser brutes are backward to be slaves.

Slow; sluggish; dilatory. The mind is backward to undergo the fatigue of weighing every argument.

Dull; not quick of apprehension; behind in progress; as a backward learner.

Late; behind in time; coming after something else, or after the usual time; as backward fruits; the season is backward.

The things or state behind or past. In the dark backward or abysm of time.