alt. of backwards-directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.-unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.-not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child.-late or behindhand; as, a backward season.-not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.-already past or gone; bygone.-the state behind or past.-to keep back; to hinder.