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 Outdated.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. (chess) Of a pawn, further behind than pawns of the same colour on adjacent files and unable to be moved forward safely.
7. (cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.
8. (cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.
9. (obsolete) Unwilling; averse; reluctant.
   • 1713, Pope, Alexander, Windsor Forest, line 50:

     For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves.

10. Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning.

    a backward child

11. 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

12. (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.
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.
   • 1700, John Dryden, Theodore and Honoria

     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.