| 释义 |
forwards, adv. (and a.)|ˈfɔːwədz|
[f. forward with advb. genitive -s: see -wards.]
A. adv. = forward adv. in its various senses.
The present distinction in usage between forward and forwards is that the latter expresses a definite direction viewed in contrast with other directions. In some contexts either form may be used without perceptible difference of meaning; the following are examples in which only one of them can now be used: ‘The ratchet-wheel can move only forwards’; ‘the right side of the paper has the maker's name reading forwards’; ‘if you move at all it must be forwards’; ‘my companion has gone forward’; ‘to bring a matter forward’; ‘from this time forward’. The usage of earlier periods, and of modern dialects, varies greatly from that of mod. standard English. In U.S. forward is now generally used, to the exclusion of forwards, which was stigmatized by Webster (1832) as ‘a corruption’.
c1400Mandeville (1839) v. 61 Fro this forewardes nevere entred such Filthe. 1470–85Malory Arthur i. vii, And sire Brastias was maade wardeyn to wayte vpon the northe fro Trent forwardes. 1489Caxton Faytes of A. i. ix. 24 To marche forwardis a quantite of paaces. 1551T. Wilson Logike (1580) 10 Thei will..with good endevour fillip Nature forewardes. 1560–78Bk. Discipl. Ch. Scot. (1621) 47 We leave it..to be weighed by your honours wisdome, and set forwards by your authority. 1691T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent. 122 An..unlevel keel drooping forwards. 1703Moxon Mech. Exerc. 17 The Teeth of the File are made to cut forwards..for it cuts not coming back. 1785Paley Mor. Philos. (1818) II. 283 When..we carry forwards our views. 1809N. Pinkney Trav. France 57 If he can come forwards, and prove..that he has merely been absent. 1844Dickens Mart. Chuz. xxxiii, He was backwards and forwards constantly. 1885Manch. Exam. 16 May 5/1 Police⁓men..have to carry him backwards and forwards between the police station and the workhouse.
†B. adj. = forward a. Obs. rare.
1598R. Grenewey Tacitus' Ann. iii. x. (1622) 78 A valiant warriour, and forwards in all his charges. 1625Bacon Ess., Travaile (Arb.) 524 Let him be rather aduised in his Answers, then forwards to tell Stories. 1626― Sylva §422 Quere, if laying of Straw some height about the Body of a Tree, will not make the Tree forwards. |