| 释义 |
towardness Now Obs. or arch.|ˈtəʊ(w)ədnɪs, ˈtɔədnɪs|
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
The quality or condition of being ‘toward’.
†1. Disposition, inclination towards or to do something; readiness, willingness. Obs.
1461Coventry Leet Bk. 316 Trustyng..that ye in so doyng shall thynke your true hertis and towardnesse right welle be-sette. 1530Tindale Answ. More iv. xi. Wks. (1573) 337/2 What good towardnes can we haue vnto the will of God while we hate it and be ignoraunt therof? 1563Randolph in Robertson Hist. Scot. II. App. vii. (1759) 14 This queen being before advertized of his towardness, by many means, hath sought..to know my lord of Murray's mind herein. 1610E. Skory Extr. Hist. Hen. IV of France 2 His qualitie drewe him into the knowledge of the world; where his royall towardnesse begot him estimation. 1692Burnet Past. Care viii. 101 [This] may put some of them in a greater towardness to hear Reason.
2. spec. Willingness and aptness to learn; natural aptitude and good disposition; docility, tractableness; forwardness in learning or practice, ‘promise’, proficiency.
1509Fisher Funeral Serm. C'tess Richmond Wks. 1876 I. 292 In her tendre aege she beynge endued with so grete towardnes of nature, & lyklyhode of enherytaunce. 1564Haward Eutropius ix. 98 A yonge man of a wonderful towardnesse. 1601W. Fulbecke 1st Pt. Parall. 24 Knighthoode is bestowed in regard of precedent merite, or of some eminent prowesse and towardnesse. 1671F. Phillips Reg. Necess. 222 That none should be admitted into any place within his House..but such as be of good towardness, likelihood, behaviour, demeanour and conversation.
†3. Condition or appearance of approaching in time, coming on or impending; imminence; likelihood, prospect. Obs.
1549in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) II. 310 If there should be any towardness of a meeting..likely to take any good effect, they would certify him of it. a1586Sidney Arcadia iv. (1598) 392 O Mopsa,..here am I thine owne father Dametas, neuer in such a towardnesse of hanging, if thou canst not helpe mee. 1660Sharrock Vegetables 12 When the great frosts breake, at the first towardnesse to spring. 1721Strype Eccl. Mem. II. 310 If there appeared any towardness of a good conclusion, he should be certified of it.
†4. State of advancement or forwardness; in (a) good (etc.) towardness, making good progress, getting on well. Obs.
1475Sir J. Paston in P. Lett. III. 122 All suche coumfforte as ye ffynde or heer off the towardnesse theroff. 1577T. Vautrollier Luther on Ep. Gal. 107 All things were in a happie course and great towardnes with you. 1579–80North Plutarch (1676) 225 All his doings, which were now so far onwards in good towardness. |