backward vs now

backward

adv
  • Toward or into the past; 

  • In a direction opposite to the usual direction of movement. 

  • In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing. 

  • At, near or towards the rear of something. 

  • Oppositely to the desired direction of progress, or from a better to a worse state. 

  • In a reversed orientation; back to front. 

  • By way of reflection; reflexively. 

  • In a reversed order or sequence. 

adj
  • Acting or moving in the direction opposite to the usual direction of movement. 

  • Of a pawn, further behind than pawns of the same colour on adjacent files and unable to be moved forward safely. 

  • Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else. 

  • Late or behindhand. 

  • Situated toward or at the rear of something. 

  • Lacking progressive or enlightened thought; outdated. 

  • On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease. 

  • Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning. 

  • Reluctant or unable to advance or act. 

  • Acting or moving in the direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing. 

  • Acting or moving oppositely to the desired direction of progress. 

  • Reversed in order or sequence. 

  • Of a culture, country, practice etc., undeveloped or unsophisticated. 

noun
  • The state behind or past. 

now

adv
  • Differently from the immediate past; differently from a more remote past or a possible future; differently from all other times. 

  • Used to indicate a context of urgency. 

  • Sometimes; occasionally. 

  • Used to address a switching side, or sharp change in attitude from before. (In this usage, now is usually emphasized). 

  • At the present time. 

  • Used to introduce a point, a qualification of what has previously been said, a remonstration or a rebuke. 

  • At the time reached within a narration. 

adj
  • Fashionable; popular; up to date; current. 

  • Present; current. 

conj
  • Since, because, in light of the fact; often with that. 

intj
  • Indicates a signal to begin. 

noun
  • The state of not paying attention to the future or the past. 

  • The present time. 

  • A particular instant in time, as perceived at that instant. 

How often have the words backward and now occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )