Part 491

Female caprice and backstair influence. Trevelyan.

Back"stay` (-st`), n. [Back, a. or n. + stay.] 1. (Naut.) A rope or stay extending from the masthead to the side of a ship, slanting a little aft, to assist the shrouds in supporting the mast. [Often used in the plural.]

2. A rope or strap used to prevent excessive forward motion.

Back"ster (&?;), n. [See Baxter.] A baker. [Obs.]

Back"stitch` (&?;), n. [Back, adv. + stitch.] A stitch made by setting the needle back of the end of the last stitch, and bringing it out in front of the end.

Back"stitch`, v. t. To sew with backstitches; as, to backstitch a seam.

Back"stress (&?;), n. A female baker. [Obs.]

Back"sword` (&?;), n. [2d back, n. + sword.] 1. A sword with one sharp edge.

2. In England, a stick with a basket handle, used in rustic amusements; also, the game in which the stick is used. Also called singlestick. Halliwell.

{ Back"ward (&?;), Back"wards (&?;), } adv. [Back, adv. + -ward.] 1. With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.

2. Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward.

3. On the back, or with the back downward.

Thou wilt fall backward. Shak.

4. Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.

Some reigns backward. Locke.

5. By way of reflection; reflexively. Sir J. Davies.

6. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.

The work went backward. Dryden.

7. In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards.

We might have . . . beat them backward home. Shak.

Back"ward, a. 1. Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.

2. Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.

For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves. Pope.

3. Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child. "The backward learner." South.

4. Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.

5. Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.

6. Already past or gone; bygone. [R.]

And flies unconscious o'er each backward year. Byron.