backward vs saffron

backward

adj
  • Situated toward or at the rear of something. 

  • 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. 

  • Lacking progressive or enlightened thought; outdated.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. 

adv
  • 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. 

  • Toward or into the past; 

  • By way of reflection; reflexively. 

  • In a reversed order or sequence. 

noun
  • The state behind or past. 

saffron

adj
  • Having an orange-yellow colour. 

verb
  • To add saffron to (a food), for taste, colour etc. 

  • To dye (a fabric, garment, etc.) with a saffron-based dye. 

  • To give a saffron colour to (something). 

  • To colour (a metal or wooden surface) with a gilding product containing saffron. 

  • To embellish. 

noun
  • An orange-yellow colour, the colour of a lion's pelt. 

  • A spice (seasoning) and colouring agent made from the stigma and part of the style of the plant, sometimes or formerly also used as a dye and insect repellent. 

  • The plant Crocus sativus, a crocus. 

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