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Backward vs Tardy - What's the difference?

backward | tardy | Related terms |

Backward is a related term of tardy.


In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between backward and tardy

is that backward is (obsolete) already past or gone; bygone while tardy is (obsolete) criminal; guilty.

As adjectives the difference between backward and tardy

is that backward is (of motion) pertaining to the direction towards the back while tardy is late; overdue or delayed.

As nouns the difference between backward and tardy

is that backward is the state behind or past while tardy is (us) a piece of paper given to students who are late to class.

As an adverb backward

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

As a verb tardy is

(obsolete|transitive) to make tardy.

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  • Pertaining to a thought or value that is considered outdated.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

    *

    tardy

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Late; overdue or delayed.
    • He yawned, then raised a tardy hand over his mouth.
  • ineffectual; slow-witted, slow to act, or dullard.
    • His tardy performance bordered on incompetence.
  • Moving with a slow pace or motion; not swift.
  • * Sandys
    • Check the tardy flight of time.
  • * Prior
    • tardy to vengeance, and with mercy brave
  • (obsolete) Unwary; unready.
    • (Hudibras)
  • (obsolete) Criminal; guilty.
    • (Collier)

    Synonyms

    * (l), (l)

    Usage notes

    * The term suggests habitual lateness. * Somewhat dated in the United Kingdom.

    Noun

    (tardies)
  • (US) A piece of paper given to students who are late to class.
    • The teacher gave her a tardy because she did not come into the classroom until after the bell.

    See also

    * tardy slip

    Verb

  • (obsolete) To make tardy.
    • (Shakespeare)