/'bækwəd; `bækwɚd/
adj
1 directed towards the back or the starting point 向後的; 向原出发点的
*a backward glance, somersault 向後一瞥、翻一个筋斗.
2 having made or making less than normal progress 落後的; 後进的
*a very backward part of the country, with no proper roads and no electricity 这个国家中极其落後的地区, 既没有像样的公路也没有电力供应
* John was rather backward as a child; he was nearly three before he could walk. , .
3 [pred 作表语] ~ (in sth) shy; reluctant; hesitant 害羞; 怯生生; 迟疑
*Sheila is very clever but rather backward in expressing her ideas. 希拉很聪明, 然而在表达思想时却有些腼腆. Cf 参看 forward.

adj
[only before noun]
looking or facing in the direction that is behind you
≠ forward
　She went without a backward glance.
developing slowly and less successfully than most others
　It will take decades to bring this backward country into the modern age.
　a backward child
>backwardnessn[U]