adv. (a.) [f. WORLD sb. + -WARD.]
1. (orig. To the worldward) In regard to the world; in worldly respects.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. iv. 19. Although I be rich and honorable to the worldward. Ibid. (1587), De Mornay, xvi. (1617), 283. Considering man what hee is to Godward, to the Worldward, to Manward and to himselfe.
a. 1617. Bayne, Lect. (1634), 148. Such as live worldward just, but have no care of religion.
a. 1639. W. Whateley, Prototypes, I. vi. (1640), 82. Be not Hypocrites, satisfied with some externall shew of religiousnesse, and orderly living to the world-ward.
1651. J. Reading, Guide Holy City, xix. 215. Another man riseth in honours … another is many waies prosperous to the worldward.
2. Towards or in the direction of the world.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 45. Thoughts that were roving helward, worldward, and sinward.
1865. Lowell, Thoreau, Prose Wks. 1890, I. 368. Emerson … has drawn steadily manward and worldward.
B. adj. Directed towards or facing the world.
1857. J. Hamilton, Lessons fr. Gt. Biog., 261. Over his general and world-ward conduct his eye could glide with prevailing satisfaction.
1883. Evang. Mag., Oct., 464. Such vanities had a worldward tendency.
1900. E. Nesbit, in Longm. Mag., May, 26.
| They chose a beggar from the world outside | |
| To keep their worldward door for them. |
So Worldwards adv., in respect of the world.
1845. Bailey, Festus (ed. 2), 79. Thy church,—One, universal, and invisible World-wards, yet manifest unto itself.
