backwardとは

意味・読み方・使い方

発音

• (Received 発音) IPA^(key): /ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d/
• (米国発音) enPR: băk'wərd, IPA^(key): /ˈbækwɚd/

形容詞

backward (comparative more backward, superlative most backward)

1. (of motion) In the direction towards the back.

   They left without a backward glance.

2. (of motion) In the direction reverse of normal.

   The occasional backward movement of planets is evidence they revolve around the sun.

   Synonym: retrograde

3. Reluctant or unable to advance.
   • 1919, Maugham, W[illiam] Somerset, “chapter 51”, in The Moon and Sixpence:

     Then her eyes, always alert for the affairs of her kitchen, fell on some action of the Chinese cook which aroused her violent disapproval. She turned on him with a torrent of abuse. The Chink was not backward to defend himself, and a very lively quarrel ensued.

   • 2003 August, “Media Prospecting”, in Mortgage Magazine‎^[1]:

     Don't be backward in suggesting story ideas to local media but always think of the wants, needs and desires of their readers when selling-in story ideas.

4. Of a culture: undeveloped or unsophisticated.
   • 2006, Donnelly, Tom, “Back to Mogadishu?”, in Armed Forces Journal‎^[2]:

     Most cruelly, the immediate security interests of the United States and the states surrounding Somalia are now to keep it a failed state, to prevent Islamists from consolidating even a weak state centered on Mogadishu. The leader of the victorious faction, one Aden Hashi 'Ayro, is said to be a veteran of Afghanistan; he knows well what a small sanctuary in a backward corner of the globe can mean for al Qaeda.

   Synonyms: developing, Third World

   Antonyms: developed, First World, forward

5. Outdated.

   Synonyms: antediluvian, antiquated, backwards, parachronistic, retrograde; see also Thesaurus:obsolete

   Antonym: progressive

6. (cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.
7. (cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.
8. (obsolete) Unwilling; averse; reluctant.
   • 1713, Pope, Alexander, Windsor Forest, line 50:

     For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves.

9. Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning.

   a backward child

10. Late or behindhand.

    a backward season

    • 1848, Gaskell, Elizabeth, Mary Barton:

      " […] I've a job of work to finish tonight; mourning, as must be in time for the funeral to-morrow; and grandfather has been out moss- hunting, and will not be home till late."
      "Oh, how charming it will be! I'll help you if you're backward. Have you much to do?"

    Synonyms: overdue, tardy; see also Thesaurus:overdue

11. (obsolete) Already past or gone; bygone.
    • 1812–1818, Lord Byron, George Gordon, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, canto 2, verse 24:

      The soul forgets her schemes of Hope and Pride, / and flies unconscious o'er each backward year.

    Synonyms: forepast, historical; see also Thesaurus:past

派生語

副詞

backward (comparative more backward, superlative most backward)

1. (of motion) In the direction towards the back; backwards

   to walk or ride backward

   to throw the arms backward

2. Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.
   • (Can we date this quote by John Locke かつ provide title, author's full name, かつ other details?)

     some reigns backward

3. By way of reflection; reflexively.

   (Can we find かつ add a quotation of Sir J. Davies to this entry?)

4. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.
   • (Can we date this quote by Dryden かつ provide title, author's full name, かつ other details?)

     The work went backward.

同意語

• backwards

反意語

• forward, forwards

名詞

backward

1. The state behind or past.
   • 1610–1611, William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act I, scene ii]:

     In the dark backward and abysm of time.

関連する語

• backwards

アナグラム

• draw back, drawback