backwardnessn.
1.
a. The state of being behindhand in progress or preparation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > [noun] > failure to progress
untowardness1538
backwardness1585
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > [noun] > state of advancement towards completion > lack of
arrearage1576
backwardness1585
behindhanda1586
1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. xxii. 378 Where there is backwardnesse in knowledge.
1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. ii. sig. B3 His backwardnesse in the Vniuersitie.
1683 W. Temple Mem. in Wks. (1731) I. 417 By their Forwardness, and the great Backwardness of some of the Allies.
1858 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) III. xiv. 254 The backwardness of the English in engineering skill.
1863 H. Fawcett Man. Polit. Econ. i. v. 72 The poverty and backwardness of India.
b. The backward state of the season, or crops.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > crop or crops > [noun] > earliness of maturity > lateness of maturity
backwardness1684
1684 London Gaz. No. 1928/1 Put off, by reason of the backwardness of the season.
1719 G. London & H. Wise J. de la Quintinie's Compl. Gard'ner (ed. 7) 164 Causes of the Forwardness or Backwardness of Maturity in all manner of Fruits.
1828 H. Steuart Planter's Guide 323 In regard to Backwardness in Trees.
2. Reluctance, disinclination; slowness of conception or action, sluggishness; bashfulness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [noun]
un-i-willa1225
unlustc1230
dangerc1290
loathnessa1300
thronessa1400
grudgingc1420
nilling?a1425
unlustiness?a1425
loathinessc1449
difficulty?c1450
grudge1477
sticking1525
scruple1526
unreadiness1526
sweerness1533
dangerousness1548
untowardnessa1555
envy1557
loathsomeness1560
retractation1563
stickling1589
indisposition1593
loathfulness1596
backwardness1597
unwillingness1597
reluctation1598
offwardness1600
undisposedness1600
hinka1614
reluctancy1621
reluctancea1628
renitence1640
nolencea1651
nolencya1651
indisposedness1651
shyness1651
nolition1653
costiveness1654
sullenness1659
scrupling1665
regret1667
queerness1687
stickiness1689
disinclination1695
uneasinessa1715
tarditude1794
disclination1812
inalacrity1813
grudgingness1820
tarrowing1832
reticence1863
grudgery1889
balkiness1894
safety first1913
1597 J. Payne Royall Exchange 14 Cowldnes and backwardnes in religion.
1624 A. Wotton Runne from Rome 5 To beare with my slownes and backwardnes.
a1665 J. Goodwin Πλήρωμα τὸ Πνευματικόv (1670) iv. 62 Backwardness, or indisposition unto the things exhorted.
1669 S. Pepys Diary 3 Jan. (1976) IX. 406 I, out of my natural backwardness, did hang off; which vexed her.
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. xxxix. 20 Which having done with some backwardness, she put it on.
1787 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) II. 149 The backwardness of the States to bring money into the public treasury.
1872 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xviii. 141 Without any suspicion of backwardness or disloyalty.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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