Hind, n.
Etymology: [AS. hind; akin to D. hinde, OHG. hinta, G. hinde, hindin, Icel., Sw., & Dan. hind, and perh. to Goth. hinpan to seize (in comp.), E. hunt, or cf. Gr.
1. (Zoöl.)
The female of the red deer, of which the male is the stag.
2. (Zoöl.)
A spotted food fish of the genus Epinephelus, as E. apua of Bermuda, and E. Drummond-hayi of Florida; -- called also coney, John Paw, spotted hind.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Hind, n.
1. A domestic; a servant. [Obs.] Shak.
2. A peasant; a rustic; a farm servant. [Eng.] The hind, that homeward driving the slow steer Tells how man's daily work goes forward here. Trench.
Hind, a. [Compar. Hinder; superl. Hindmost, or Hindermost (.]
In the rear; -- opposed to front; of or pertaining to the part or end which follows or is behind, in opposition to the part which leads or is before; as, the hind legs or hind feet of a quadruped; the hind man in a procession.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists hind only as an antonym, under previous.
Where he writes about it:
A hindrance (kindred with hind, behind) is anything that makes one come behind or short of his purpose. — from impediment