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Backward vs Backhand - What's the difference?

backward | backhand |

As adjectives the difference between backward and backhand

is that backward is (of motion) pertaining to the direction towards the back while backhand is (handwriting) of any left slanting handwriting.

As nouns the difference between backward and backhand

is that backward is the state behind or past while backhand is (tennis) a stroke made across the chest from the off-hand side to the racquet hand side; a stroke during which the back of the hand faces the shot.

As an adverb backward

is (of motion) in the direction towards the back; backwards.

As a verb backhand is

to execute a backhand stroke or throw.

backward

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (of motion) Pertaining to the direction towards the back.
    • They left without a backward glance.
  • (of motion) Pertaining to the direction reverse of normal.
    • The occasional backward movement of planets is evidence they revolve around the sun.
  • Reluctant or unable to advance.
  • * 1919 ,
    • Then her eyes, always alert for the affairs of her kitchen, fell on some action of the Chinese cook which aroused her violent disapproval. She turned on him with a torrent of abuse. The Chink was not backward to defend himself, and a very lively quarrel ensued.
  • * Don't be backward in suggesting story ideas to local media but always think of the wants, needs and desires of their readers when selling-in story ideas.[http://www.mortgagemagazine.com.au/detail_article.cfm?articleID=364]
  • Of a culture considered undeveloped or unsophisticated.
  • * Most cruelly, the immediate security interests of the United States and the states surrounding Somalia are now to keep it a failed state, to prevent Islamists from consolidating even a weak state centered on Mogadishu. The leader of the victorious faction, one Aden Hashi 'Ayro, is said to be a veteran of Afghanistan; he knows well what a small sanctuary in a backward corner of the globe can mean for al Qaeda. [http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2006/06/1851044]
  • Pertaining to a thought or value that is considered outdated.
  • * Replace the morbid, bankrupting, backward idea of superpower domination: Weapons dismantled. Global warming reversed. Perhaps, in time, overpopulation, poverty, starvation, ignorance and disease all resolved. Thus, moral determination combined with 21st Century science, ecology and social initiatives will make possible a resonant fulfillment of our American Revolution [http://www.counterpunch.org/bice01042003.html]
  • (cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.
  • (cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.
  • (obsolete) Unwilling; averse; reluctant.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves.
  • Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning.
    • a backward child
  • Late or behindhand.
    • a backward season
  • (obsolete) Already past or gone; bygone.
  • * Byron
    • and flies unconscious o'er each backward year

    Synonyms

    * (in reverse direction) retrograde * (of an undeveloped culture) third world * backwards, fogyish, old-fashioned, antiquated, antediluvian, unprogressive, retrograde, outdated, parachronistic, out of date

    Antonyms

    * (of an undeveloped culture) forward * (of an outdated thought) progressive

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • (of motion) In the direction towards the back; backwards
    • to walk or ride backward'''; to throw the arms '''backward
  • Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.
  • * John Locke
    • some reigns backward
  • By way of reflection; reflexively.
  • From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.
  • * Dryden
    • The work went backward .

    Synonyms

    * backwards

    Antonyms

    * forward, forwards

    Related terms

    * backwards

    Noun

  • The state behind or past.
  • * Shakespeare
    • In the dark backward and abysm of time.

    Anagrams

    *

    backhand

    English

    (wikipedia backhand)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (tennis) a stroke made across the chest from the off-hand side to the racquet hand side; a stroke during which the back of the hand faces the shot.
  • Handwriting that leans to the left
  • (Ultimate Frisbee) the standard throw; a throw during which the disc begins on the off-hand side and travels across the chest to be released from the opposite side.
  • The reverse side of the human hand.
  • (surfing) the hand towards the back of the board.

    • Antonyms

    * forehand * palm

    Verb

  • to execute a backhand stroke or throw
  • to slap with the back of one's hand

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (handwriting) Of any left slanting handwriting
  • (of strokes or throws) In the backhand style
  • (ice hockey) Of a play that uses the back side of the hockey stick
    • He scored on a backhand shot.

    See also

    * backhanded