backwards
adverb
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L186482 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈbækwɜːdz/ / /ˈbækwɜɹdz/
adj
Etymology: From backward + -s. See also -s (“used in the formation of certain adverbs: backwards, downwards, inwards, etc.”).
- Synonym of backward; see usage notes there.
adv
Etymology: From Middle English bakwardis, bakwardis, a variant of Middle English bakwarde, bakward (“backward”). Equivalent to backward + -s. Compare Saterland Frisian bäkove (“backwards”).
- Synonym of backward; see usage notes there.
“The length of the stoppages could not well be reduced; indeed, they are already too short if we are to believe the tale now current of a wandering Jew sort of passenger—a lady of advanced years who can only alight from a train backwards. Every time she begins to get out a porter rushes up crying "Hurry up, ma'am; train's going!"—and pushes her in again!”
“My train back is a Class 800 bi-mode. These are not too bad, except for their awful seats - compared with the seats on the HST, they are a step backwards.”
verb
Etymology: See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
- third-person singular simple present indicative of backward