backward

Multiple Entries:
  backward    backwards  

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
backward/ˈbakwəd/

▶adjective

• 1 directed behind or to the rear.

• 2 having made less progress than is normal or expected.

  ■ (of a person) having learning difficulties.

• 3 (backward in) lacking the confidence to do: he was not backward in displaying his talents.

• 4 Cricket (of a fielding position) behind an imaginary line passing through the stumps at the batsman's end at right angles to the wicket.

▶adverb variant of backwards.

– derivatives
backwardly adverb,
backwardness noun.

– origin ME: from earlier abackward, from aback.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
backwards /ˈbakwədz/ (also backward)

▶adverb

• 1 in the direction of one's back.

• 2 back towards the starting point.

• 3 in reverse of the usual direction or order.

  ■ towards the past.

  ■ towards a worse state.

– phrases
backwards and forwards to and fro.
bend (or fall or lean) over backwards informal make every effort to be fair or helpful.
know something backwards be entirely familiar with something.