backwards - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From backward +‎ -s. See also -s (“used in the formation of certain adverbs: backwards, downwards, inwards, etc.”).

backwards (comparative more backwards, superlative most backwards)

From Middle English bakwardis, bakwardis, a variant of Middle English bakwarde, bakward (“backward”). Equivalent to backward +‎ -s. Compare Saterland Frisian bäkove (“backwards”).

backwards (comparative more backwards, superlative most backwards)

Synonym of backward ; see usage notes there.
- 1944 May and June, “When the Circle was Steam Operated”, in Railway Magazine, page 150:
  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!
- 2025 November 12, 'Mystery Shopper', “Is Devon the cream of the crop?”, in RAIL, number 1048, page 47:
  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.

An inflection.

backwards