Definition of: backward

(bak′wərd) adjective
1. Turned to the back or rear; reversed.
2. Retiring; bashful.
3. Slow in growth or development; retarded.
4. Late; slow; behindhand.
5. Done the reverse way.
—adverb
1. In the direction of the back; to the rear.
2. Into time past; toward earlier times.
3. With the back foremost.
4. In reverse order.
5. From better to worse. Also back′wards adverb
—back′ward·ly adverb
—back′·ward·ness noun