towardsprep.adv.
/ˈtəʊədz//ˈtɔːədz//tɔːdz//təˈwɔːdz/ A. prep.† 6. † b. Coming upon, in store for: = toward prep. 6b. Obsolete.
1. † b. predicative after to be: On the way to: = toward prep. 1b. Obsolete.† c. To (with implication of reaching): = toward prep. 1c. Obsolete.
a. Of motion, etc.: In the direction of, on the way to: = toward prep. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > in the direction of [preposition]
tilla800
towardsc888
toc890
towardc893
to-gainsc950
anenta1225
i-gainc1325
ata1400
gaina1400
tilwarda1400
gainwarda1542
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > towards [preposition]
towardsc888
toc893
towardc893
againeOE
to-gainsc950
againstc1300
anenta1425
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxix. §1 Hwy ne magon ge gebidan gecyndelices deaðes, nu he eow ælce dæg toweardes onet?
c1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1094 Se eorl innon Normandig..mid þam cynge of France..ferdon to wardes Ou þær se cyng Willelm inne wæs.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 259 Brutus iherde seggen..þat Pandrasus þe king him towardes com. mid muchelere ferde.
1442 T. Beckington Corr. (Rolls) II. 190 Maister John de Batute departed hens on Saturday at noon towards his cuntrey.
1538 in R. G. Marsden Sel. Pleas Court Admiralty (1894) I. 73 They made saile towards their owne countrey.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Towardes and toward... Yet marke the maner of phrase as you dyd in amonge & amongest.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. x. 96 The procession marching slowly forward towards the church.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. i Every step I take Towards the city.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. viii. 59 I turned towards home.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iii. ii. 68 Towards Florence is he? View more context for this quotation
ΚΠ
1467 Coventry Leet Bk. 335 Also þat [they] sufficiently amende þe fotewey towardes Crab-tre-feld.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xxii. 29 Too dispatche and sende away the knight..towardes the court, too aduertise the king.
1613 T. Milles tr. P. Mexia et al. Treasurie Auncient & Moderne Times 698/1 Pope Innocent..sent verie Learned and Religious men towards Baty.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iii. 112 I will..pace softly towards my Kinsmans. View more context for this quotation
2. † b. Beside, near; in attendance on, about; in the possession of; with: = toward prep. 2b. Obsolete.
a. Of position: In the direction of; on the side next to; directed to, facing: = toward prep. 2.
ΚΠ
1423 Kingis Quair civ Benignely sche turnyt has hir face Towardis me.
1503 in Lett. Richard III & Henry VII (1861) I. 202 The said bishop as he stode..towardes the quere.
a1555 J. Bradford in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) III. App. xlv. 129 To make all our Haven-Townes mor stronger towardes the Land, than they be towardes the Sea.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms xxv. 15 Mine eyes are euer towards the Lord. View more context for this quotation
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 58 Canon, with the mouths towards that street.
1712 J. Swift Proposal for Eng. Tongue 16 The Northern Parts, lying towards the Euxine.
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 99/2 Hills towards the North..encrease the heat.
1851 A. Helps Compan. Solitude vi. 85 I sat upon a garden seat in a sheltered nook towards the south.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > nearness > near to [preposition]
nighOE
anentOE
atOE
yhendeOE
anewstc1275
nigh handa1300
neara1325
narc1325
againstc1384
nearhanda1400
towardc1400
towards?1447
nearhand?c1450
nearbyc1485
anear1532
anigh1583
under or in the shadow of1853
the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > accompany [preposition] > to the accompaniment of
anentOE
towardc1400
towards?1447
along with?1566
?1447 Lett. Marg. Anjou & Bp. Beckington (Camden) 94 We..praye yow hertely, that..ye wil have oure said secretary towards yow.
1459 Rolls of Parl. V. 367 Persones of grete myght, havyng towardes theym of their lyverey..such multitude of Robbers, Rioters, and myschevous persones.
1614–15 Archdeaconry of Essex Minutes lf. 103 b (MS.) The prince his landresse and a man towards the prince were by the harbenger placed to lodge in his house.
1669 G. Miege Relation of Three Embassies 371 He had chosen his Excellence the Earle of Carlisle..for his Ambassador Extraordinary towards him.
3. In the direction of (figurative).† c. In favour of; favourable to: = for prep. 7. Obsolete. rare.
a. gen. = toward prep. 3a.
ΚΠ
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 49 Their beauties are..such as preuaile in my iudgement, towards chastitie, more then Ouids Remedy of Loue.
1692 E. Walker tr. Epictetus Enchiridion lxxi He that labours on Towards Perfection.
1763 J. Brown Diss. Poetry & Music xiv. 241 In all polished States, these Arts have a natural Tendency towards Corruption.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 231 The king was suspected by many of a leaning towards Rome.
1871 R. H. Hutton Ess. (1888) v. 118 The absolute will towards right.
b. Introducing the object of action or feeling: = toward prep. 3b.
ΚΠ
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 32 I mai wel..Excuse me of necgligence Towardes love in alle wise.
1483 in J. Gairdner Lett. Reigns of Richard III & Henry VII (1861) I. 48 Good will towardes hir housband.
c1495 in Lett. Rich. III & Hen. VII (Rolls) II. 57 To ordre that matier towardis hym as he shalbe right well contented.
1536 Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 498 Thankes off hys grett goodnes towerdys me.
1536 in T. Wright Three Chapters Lett. Suppression Monasteries (1843) 99 How I shal use me self towardes thaim.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. ii. sig. Aa4 To blame him for such cruelty Towards a Ladie. View more context for this quotation
1682 J. Norris tr. Hierocles Golden Verses 32 Friendship ought to be exercised towards all, but especially toward good men.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 14 Mar. 2/1 A sense of Piety towards Heaven.
1827 J. Bentham Rationale Judicial Evid. IV. viii. iii. 53 He has as good a pretence and (as towards the public) a justification, as heart can wish.
1885 Manch. Examiner 10 July 5/2 The sentiments of the Thibetans towards us.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > favour > [preposition] > favourable to
towards1472
1472 J. Arblaster in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 580 To haue thys perlement as for on of the burgeys of the towne of Maldon syche a man of worchep and of wytt as wer towardys my seyd lady.
1477 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 663 And [= if] ȝe com and fynde þe mater no more toward [you] þen ȝe dyd afortyme.
d. Compared to, in comparison with: = to prep. 18, toward prep. 3d. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > marking comparison [preposition]
withc888
toc1000
againsta1225
atweenc1400
toward1527
towards?1555
vis-à-vis1755
?1555 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmueller Treat. Death i. xxv. 93 In comparison whereof.. myrthe and chere vpon earthe is scace to bee estemed, as castynge counters, towardes the fyneste coynes of golde.
1685 Mr. Travestin Acct. Proc. against Turks 27 They fought with such desperation and courage towards what they had done before.
1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire To'arts as, in comparison with.
e. In expression of good wishes for (a person, or his health): = to prep. 12a, 26b dialect.
ΚΠ
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. ii. 42 Drinking towards my good health.
1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xi. 119 Here's towards you, my buck.
4. Of time or succession: = toward prep. 4.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > future [preposition] > towards or near
to-gains971
yhendeOE
againlOE
againstc1330
gainc1475
towarda1500
towardsa1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Richard III (1623) iii. v. 99 I goe, and towards [1597 About] three or foure a Clocke Looke for the Newes.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia Isagoge sig. D6v Snailes, which some count most dainty sweet and nourishing meat, and are best towards winter.
1754 Bp. T. Sherlock Disc. (1759) I. ix. 251 These Words stand towards the Close of St. John's Gospel.
1836 C. P. Traill Backwoods of Canada 208 The skins are very thick and glossy towards winter.
1886 C. E. Pascoe London of To-day (ed. 3) xxxi. 282 In Whitehall Gardens..Beaconsfield lived for a short time towards the latter part of his life.
5. ‘Getting on for’, verging upon, nearly as much as; tending to: = toward prep. 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [preposition] > like, nearly, or as if
afterOE
toward1541
towards1563
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1698/2 Beinge iudged by the common people, more then an hundreth years of age, and by her owne estimation well towardes a C.
1619 J. Hales Let. 21 Jan. 69 in Golden Remains (1659) When Gomarus had spoken towards an hour and half.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §77 Water, thicker, and more towards Ice, than Common Water.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 437. ⁋1 She was gay, airy, and a little towards Libertine in her Carriage.
1777 E. Burke Corr. (1844) II. 195 Where there are towards six hundred persons.
1845 J. H. Newman Ess. Devel. Christian Doctr. 41 When he is towards fifty, Mr. Wesley marries.
a. In prospect of, approaching: = toward prep. 6. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cccxxvii. 512 He was towardes a treaty for a maryage for him with the doughter of ye kyng of Castell.
1541 in State Papers Henry VIII (1849) VIII. 599 As towching ony maryage that she was towardes, I harde of non.
1611 C. Tourneur Atheist's Trag. (new ed.) ii. sig. E4 What? is not thy mistresse towards a husband yet?
a1624 Bp. M. Smith Serm. (1632) 141 I did not know that thou hadst a cause towards hearing.
1661 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 175 I here your son is towardes a good fortewen.
1688 T. Shadwell Squire of Alsatia v. i. 77 Your Brother has heard of this great Match you are towards.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > future events > [preposition] > in store for
toward1489
towards1560
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xiiijv There was muche trouble towardes him, what by the Turkes, and what by the Frenche men.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 123 Jesus..well knew what evill was towards him.
1719 E. Young Busiris v. 63 I fear..some Ill is towards me.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. viii. vi. 187 I dreamed..that I stumbled over a Stool without hurting myself; which plainly showed me something good was towards me. View more context for this quotation
7. In contribution to; for making up, promoting, etc.: = toward prep. 7.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > [preposition] > by way of contribution
toward1468
towards1474
1474 Coventry Leet Bk. 412 Such benivolence as his louyng subgettes there schall shewe vnto hym towardes his grete viage in-to ffraunce.
1521 Will of John Berryff in Essex Rev. (1904) 13 221 Item I bequeth to Bryghtlyngsey Church towards lengthing of our Lady Chapell..iii. quarters of the ship called the Trinitie.
1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 77 Nothing could have prevailed towards the saving of his life.
1729 W. Law Serious Call viii. 112 She pays their rent, and gives them something yearly towards their cloathing.
1806 Act 46 Geo. III c. 132 (title) To advance a certain sum..towards that purpose.
1908 Month Mar. 317 This is a contribution towards what is now denominated ‘Methodology’.
8. For to ..-wards, separated by the noun or pronoun, see -wards suffix. Cf. to prep. 2e, toward prep. 8.
B. adv. or predicative adj.
I. Predicative, or following a noun: cf. predicative uses of toward adj.† 1. In preparation, at hand, coming on, imminent: cf. toward adj. 2b. Obsolete.† 2. Favourable, compliant, forward, ready. Obsolete.† 3. At hand, ready, present: cf. toward adj. 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adverb] > near in time > imminent or close at hand
beside1297
fast byc1300
neara1400
towards1468
hard by1535
1468 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 398 If ye vndrestond þat any assawte scholde be towardys.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xxii. 28 There was no danger towards.
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. v. 121 We haue a trifling foolish banquet towards . View more context for this quotation
1638 J. Suckling Aglaura ii. 15 If there be not some great storme towards, Nere trust mee.
1652 D. Osborne Lett. (1888) 30 His marriage, which I hear is towards, with a daughter of [etc.].
1697 J. Vanbrugh Relapse iii. 47 Take heed my heart, for there are dangers towards.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective]
freeeOE
well-willingOE
readyc1175
fainc1275
buxoma1300
prestc1300
liefc1325
rifec1390
willyc1390
baina1400
willinga1400
listyc1440
towardc1440
appliable1449
pronea1450
wilfulc1460
prompt?a1475
content1477
towardly1513
contenteda1525
towards1525
fond1529
comingc1576
unrefusinga1586
open-armed1594
voluntary1598
gainsome1629
easy1653
unreluctant1654
nothing loath1667
applicable1702
irreluctanta1706
unhesitating1753
unloath1861
prone-minded1869
1525 W. Warham Let. 5 Apr. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 366 Seing men grudgeth to be towardes in graunting, it is to be feared they will make more murmur and busynes in the tyme of payment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > [adverb]
presenta1400
presentlyc1425
presentiallyc1450
herea1500
towards1548
presentificly1653
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John 71 b Being redy and towardes at his call.
1564 N. Haward tr. Eutropius Briefe Chron. vi. sig. K.viiv Hys Sonne also, a valyaunte and worthye yonge man towardes.
II. Senses relating to movement or action in the direction of something.† 5. Onwards, on (in quot. 1587, of time): cf. toward adj. 2. Obsolete. rare.
4. † b. ? Towards some end or purpose; (as a contribution) towards something. Obsolete.
a. In the direction of some person or thing indicated by the context (cf. toward adj. 1, forwards, onwards). Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > [adverb] > to or towards some thing or place
uponc1475
up1513
down along1525
towards1590
on1804
downlong1863
againwards1876
to1889
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > [adverb]
towarda1300
justc1440
towards1590
in1709
in-ower1813
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ii. sig. B5 The knight.., when him he spide,..Gan fairely couch his speare, and towards ride.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. iv. 37 A varlet ronning towards hastily.
1592 Arden of Feversham iii. vi At your dags discharge Make towards.
1818 J. Keats Endymion iii. 129 This fire, like the eye of gordian snake, Bewitch'd me towards; and I soon was near A sight too fearful for the feel of fear.
ΚΠ
1473 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 473 I pray yow sende me worde..iff I have Caster ageyn whethyre she [my modre] wolle dwelle ther or nott, and I wyll fynde hyr a prest towardys at my charge.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adverb] > from now or henceforth
fortha700
heneOE
henforthOE
forwardOE
anovenOE
yetOE
downwardc1175
forthwardc1175
furthermorea1300
henforthwardc1300
forne14..
henceforwardc1330
henforwardc1330
hencefortha1375
henceforthwardc1384
hencec1390
furtherwarda1400
forwardsc1400
hyneforwardc1400
henceforwardsa1425
even-forthc1425
forth on1474
henceforthon1490
hynea1500
froforth1536
hyneforth1570
downwards1584
towards1587
here-hence1592
whenceforth1658
whenceforwarda1661
onward1667
onwards1732
from here on out1867
as of now1902
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 158/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II The daie being spent to small purpose, & the night drawne towards, he incamped.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
> as lemmas
to..wards
3. Examples of to..wards.
extracted from -wardssuffix a. with proper name or noun without article or other defining word.
Π
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde i. 59 Yt is wel wist how þat Grekes stronge In armes with a þousand shippes went To Troye~wardes.
c1430 Contin. Brut 430 And tho the Kynge disposid hym to Godwardis.
c1560 R. Morice in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (1843) 25 Manifest blasphemy to Godwards.
1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea xxii. 53 Our other Shippes..having kept their direct course, and far to wind-wards and Sea-wards,..could not heare the report.
1647 J. Howell New Vol. of Lett. 44 What the eye of a batt is to the sun, the same is all humane understanding to Godwards.
1650 W. Brough Sacred Princ. To Rdr. sig. A2v Using them [sc. Books]..as..Guides and Helps to Heaven-wards.
1892 M. C. F. Morris Yorks. Folk-talk 260 The addition of ‘wards’ to nouns as a suffix denoting direction is frequent in our folk-talk—as ‘ti Newton-wards’ or ‘fra Newton-wards’.
b. with noun determined by definite article or otherwise.
Π
1415 in 43rd Ann. Rep. Deputy Keeper Public Rec. (1882) App. i. 589 in Parl. Papers (C. 3425) XXXVI. 1 My wyttys arne not to ye world wardys so redy as yey werne.
1589 J. Sparke in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations iii. 532 He marched to the townewardes.
c. with personal pronoun.
Π
1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 76 Þe nedy nestlingis..burnisched her beekis and bent to-him-wardis.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxviii. 128 And, when þe Cristen men sawe þam com to þam wardes, þai ware riȝt ferde.
1442 T. Beckington Corr. (Rolls) II. 216 The continuancis of true obeissaunce unto us wards of our subgetts.
1472 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 449 Also I praye yow feele my lady off Norffolkys dysposicion to me wardys.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer i. f. cccxxxvi If that Margarite denyeth nowe nat to suffre her vertues shyne to the wardes, with spreadynge beames.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. ccclvv Aungels blysse that to him wardes was comyng.
1574 W. Bourne Regim. for Sea (1577) xiv. 42 If you remoue the transitory but a quarter the length of the transitory to youwards.
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie cxx. 738 When God gathereth vs to him by death, wee cease not to liue still to himwardes.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. v. sig. R2v Euer concluding ech thing he did with his face to me-wards.
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada 20 Behaving my selfe unmanerly to-you-wards.
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada 169 The courteous inclination to me-wards, which to my good hap I discover in you.
1648 R. Herrick Hesperides sig. E4 You say, to me-wards, your affection's strong; Pray love me little, so you love me long.
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prep.adv.c888as lemmas