backward
back + -ward
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adjective
1. attributive directed behind or to the rear:
比較なし 〖通例名詞の前で〗後ろ(へ)の, 後ろ向きの〈動作･視線など〉(↔ forward)
e.g. she left the room without a backward glance
e.g. a gradual backward movement.
looking toward the past, rather than being progressive; retrograde:
悪化, 退化して
e.g. he said the decision was a backward step.
2. having made less than normal progress:
〈国･社会などが〉進歩, 発展の遅い(→ developing)
e.g. economically backward countries.
dated or offensive (of a person) having learning difficulties:
｟やや古･けなして｠ 〈子供などが〉物覚えの悪い, 知恵遅れの.
e.g. a lively child but a bit backward.
adverb (also backwards)
1. (of a movement) away from one's front; in the direction of one's back:
後ろへ, 後方へ(↔ forward)
e.g. he took a step backward
e.g. Harry suddenly fell backward into a somersault.
in reverse of the usual direction or order:
逆に, 逆さに; 後ろ前に
e.g. counting backward
e.g. baseball caps turned backward.
2. toward or into the past:
過去にさかのぼって.
e.g. a loving look backward at his early life.
toward or into a worse state:
悪化, 退化して
e.g. a giant step backward for child-centered education.
PHRASES
backward and forward
in both directions alternately; to and fro.
bend (or lean) over backward to do something
informal make every effort, especially to be fair or helpful: Jensen bent over backward to be fair.
know something backward (and forward)
be entirely familiar with something.
DERIVATIVES
backwardly | ˈbakwərdlē | adverb
ORIGIN
Middle English: from earlier abackward, from aback.
USAGE
In US English, the adverb form is sometimes spelled backwards ( the ladder fell backwards), but the adjective is almost always backward ( a backward glance). Directional words using the suffix -ward tend to have no s ending in US English, although backwards is more common than afterwards, towards, or forwards. The s ending often (but not always) appears in the phrases backwards and forwards and bending over backwards. In British English, the spelling backwards is more common than backward.