worldwardsadv.
/ˈwəːldwədz/, U.S. /ˈwər(ə)ldwərdz/ 1. In respect of the world; = worldward adv. 1. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > unspirituality > [adverb]
worldlyeOE
bodilyc1370
unghostlya1400
carnally1527
civilly1577
worldwarda1617
secularly1840
worldwards1845
materialistically1852
unspiritually1871
1845 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 79 Thy church,—One, universal, and invisible World-wards, yet manifest unto itself.
2. Towards the world or worldly concerns; = worldward adv. 2.
ΘΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > [adverb] > towards the material world
worldward1628
worldwards1849
1849 J. J. G. Wilkinson Emanuel Swedenborg ii. 163 It is only to open his mind world-wards, and straight he can commune with an earthly seer.
1911 Proc. Aristotelian Soc. 12 96 De Tracy's view was more comprehensive, more directed world-wards.
1957 R. M. Bethell G. von Schwarzenfeld v. 168 When its [sc. the Sacrum Imperium's] attention turned exclusively worldwards, it lost its inmost soul.
1992 M. P. Pandit Dict. Sri Aurobindo's Yoga 195 The perturbations of the vital nature, desire, emotion turned ego-wards or world-wards are the main part of the screen that hides the soul from the nature.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.1845