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backwardness

   Also found in: Legal, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
back·ward  (bkwrd)
adj.
1. Directed or facing toward the back or rear.
2. Done or arranged in a manner or order that is opposite to previous occurrence or normal use.
3. Unwilling to act; reluctant; shy.
4. Behind others in progress or development: The technology was backward, but the system worked.
adv. or back·wards (-wrdz)
1. To or toward the back or rear.
2. With the back leading.
3. In a reverse manner or order.
4. To, toward, or into the past.
5. Toward a worse or less advanced condition.

backward·ly adv.
backward·ness n.
Usage Note: The adverb may be spelled backward or backwards, and these forms are interchangeable: stepped backward; a mirror facing backwards. In Standard English, however, the adjective has no -s: a backward view.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.backwardness - lack of normal development of intellectual capacities
stupidity - a poor ability to understand or to profit from experience
mental defectiveness, abnormality - retardation sufficient to fall outside the normal range of intelligence
mental deficiency, moronity - mild mental retardation
amentia, idiocy - extreme mental retardation
imbecility - retardation more severe than a moron but not as severe as an idiot

backwardness
noun
1. lack of development, underdevelopment, lack of sophistication, primitiveness I was astonished at the backwardness of our country at the time.
2. slowness, learning difficulties, underdevelopment, retardation, arrested development her backwardness in practical and physical activities
slowness brightness, quickness, smartness, precocity, precociousness
Translations
backwardness [ˈbækwədnɪs] N [of country] → atraso m; [of person] (socially) → timidez f; (mentally) → retraso m
backwardness [ˈbækwərdnɪs] n
[country, society, economy] → arriération f
economic backwardness → arriération économique
technological backwardness → arriération technologique
(old-fashioned or offensive) [child] → retard old-fashioned)m mental >
backward roll nroulade f arrière
backwardness
n (mental) → Zurückgebliebenheit f; (of region)Rückständigkeit f
backwardness [ˈbækwədnɪs] n (pej) (of country) → arretratezza
backwardness [ˈbækwədnɪs] n (pej) (of country) → arretratezza


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The former of these will blame his prudence in neglecting an opportunity to possess himself of Mr Western's fortune; and the latter will no less despise him for his backwardness to so fine a girl, who seemed ready to fly into his arms, if he would open them to receive her.
"But a large number of monasteries and churches is always a sign of the backwardness of a people," said Napoleon, turning to Caulaincourt for appreciation of this remark.
I have long shrunk from children, because they often show a distrust -- a backwardness to be familiar with me.
 
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