Toward

//təˈwɔːd// adj, name, prep

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Yielding, pliant; docile; ready or apt to learn; not froward. US, not-comparable
  2. 2
    Approaching, coming near; impending; present, at hand. US, dated, not-comparable

    "Do you heare ought (Sir) of a Battell toward."

  3. 3
    Promising, likely. US, archaic, not-comparable, obsolete

    "Clif[ford] Why that is ſpoken like a toward Prince."

  4. 4
    Future; to-come. US, not-comparable, obsolete

    "But ear that wiſhed day his beame diſcloſd, / He either enuying my toward good, / Or of him ſelfe to treaſon ill diſpoſd / One day vnto me came in friendly mood, / And told for ſecret how he vnderſtood / […]"

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A coastal village south of Dunoon, Argyll and Bute council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NS1367).
  2. 2
    A surname, apparently taken from the place name.
Preposition
  1. 1
    In the direction of. US

    "She moved toward the door."

  2. 2
    In relation to (someone or something). US

    "What are your feelings toward him?"

  3. 3
    For the purpose of attaining (an aim). US

    "I'm saving money toward retirement."

  4. 4
    Located close to; near (a time or place). US

    "Our place is over toward the station."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard, from Proto-West Germanic *tōward, equivalent to to + -ward. Cognate with Middle Low German tôwart, Middle Dutch toewaert (Modern Dutch toewaarts), Middle High German zuowart, zūwart (Modern German zuwärts). Compare also Middle English tilward, tillward (“toward”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard, from Proto-West Germanic *tōward, equivalent to to + -ward. Cognate with Middle Low German tôwart, Middle Dutch toewaert (Modern Dutch toewaarts), Middle High German zuowart, zūwart (Modern German zuwärts). Compare also Middle English tilward, tillward (“toward”).

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