Forward a., adv. and sb.

Forms: 1 fore-, forweard, -węrd, 4–7 foreward(e, 4–6 forwarde, 6 foret, 9 dial. forat, -et, forrad, -at, 4– forward. See also FORRIT. [OF. for(e)weard, adj. and adv.; see FORE adv. and -WARD. The adj. seems to have become obsolete after the OE. period, and to have been redeveloped from the adv. in the 16th c. The adv. (OE. foreweard) was app. in origin the neut. acc. of the adj.]

  A.  adj.

  † 1.  In OE. used in partitive concord: The front part of (any thing material); the first or earliest part of (a period of time, etc.). Obs.

c. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist., V. xiii. [xii]. (1891), 422. In forewearde neaht forðferde.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., II. 266. Ure Forewearde heafod.

  2.  Situated in the fore part. Obs. exc. techn.

1601.  Shaks., All’s Well that ends Well, V. iii. 39. Let’s take the instant by the forward top.

1692.  Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), II. 503. The guides conducted the forwardest of the party detached for that service a wrong way.

1876.  J. G. Holland, Sevenoaks, x. 131. He fixed a knob of tallow upon the forward sight of Mr. Halfour’s gun, so that, projecting in front of the sheet iron screen, it would be plainly visible and render necessary only the raising of the breech to the point of half-hiding the tallow, in order to procure as perfect a range as if it were broad daylight.

  b.  Naut. Belonging to the fore part (of a vessel).

1881.  Daily Tel., 24 Feb. The nine forward men are divided into three watches.

1893.  Westm. Gaz., 21 March, 5/3. The forward-house and forecastle bulkhead were stove in.

  † c.  Principal, foremost, chief. Obs.

1581.  Savile, Tacitus’ Agric. (1622), 184. Many haue beene wasted by casuall chances, the most sufficient and forward by the crueltie of the Prince.

  d.  That lies in front; now only, that lies in the direction towards which one is moving.

1643.  Lightfoot, Glean. Ex. (1648), 17. In the five preceding Plagues, the obduration of Pharaohs heart is attributed to himselfe, in these five forward, it is attributed to God.

1800–24.  Campbell, Dream, ii.

1844.  Kinglake, Eüthen, xvii. (1878), 233. Listlessly slouching along from out of the forward horizon.

  3.  Directed towards a point in advance, onward; also ‘outward’ as opposed to ‘return.’

1603.  Drayton, Bar. Wars, I. xlvi.

1814.  Cary, Dante, Paradise, XXIX. 135.

1840.  Bury, Select Comm. on Railw., Q. 2398. You spoke of sending an engine to meet the train; on what line would that go?—It must go on the forward line.

1844.  H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, II. 46. General Wood was compelled by the injunctions of the Commander-in-chief to undertake a forward movement, and attempt the occupation of the town of Bhotwal.

1884.  G. W. R. Time Tables, July, 87. Return Tickets are available … for completion of the forward and backward journeys.

  b.  Of the face: (Looking) straight in front.

1700.  Dryden, Cymon & Iphigenia, 593.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., cxiv.

  c.  Of a ship’s beak: Moving onwards.

1871.  R. Ellis, Catullus, lxiv. 12.

  d.  Forward play in Cricket: the method of playing forward: see the adv. 3 b.

1891.  W. G. Grace, Cricket, § 4, in Outdoor Games & Recreat., 19. Practise both backward and forward play, and after a time you will instinctively feel, as the ball approaches you, how it should be treated.

  e.  Forward movement: recently often used to denote a special effort made by a political party, a religious or benevolent organization, etc., in order to make more rapid progress. Cf. 9.

1896.  Indep. & Nonconf., 31 Dec., 494. The Colonial Missionary Society Forward Movement.

1897.  Westm. Gaz., 9 Jan. The Liberal Forward Movement.

  4.  Comm. Of a business transaction, contract, etc.: Prospective, relating to future produce.

1883.  Manch. Exam., 6 Nov., 4/4. In the old days, when it took three or four months to send out goods to India … there was a real ground for forward buying.

1891.  Daily News, 23 Nov., 2/7. The rate for good furnace coke is 14s. … but consumers will not pay this price for forward contracts.

  5.  That is in an advanced state or condition; progressing towards maturity or completion. Chiefly predicative and barely distinguishable from the adv.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 72 b. How moche we profyte & be forewarde in euery day by our labour.

1561.  T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, I. C b. It is nowe well forwarde in nyghte.

1743.  Bulkeley & Cummins, Voy. S. Seas, 86. To acquaint him how forward the Boat was [in making], and to consult some Measures to be observ’d on Board the Boat, to prevent Mutiny.

1805.  Med. Jrnl., XVII. 515. The [vaccinated] arms of Sarah and Eliza were in a more forward state than the rest.

1848.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., IX. I. 7. The sheep are then found to enjoy themselves, and get exceedingly forward in condition.

1866.  Mrs. H. Wood, St. Martin’s Eve, iv. Benja was a sturdy little fellow of fourteen months now, sufficiently forward in walking to get about the room and bring himself into all manner of mischief.

  b.  Of a plant, a crop, or the season: Well advanced, early.

1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., I. i. 45.

1601.  R. Johnson, Relations of the Most Famous Kingdoms, etc. (1603), 13. The inhabitants of Turon … enjoy as forward a summer, as those of Provence.

1707.  Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 254. Fruit, the soundest and forwardest of any on the Tree.

1796.  C. Marshall, Garden., xix. (1813), 344. It is the best way to sow three or four seeds in a small pot, which being placed on a gentle heat, will be much forwarder and finer.

1821.  Clare, The Village Minstrel, I. 18. xxxi.

1832.  Ht. Martineau, Homes Abroad, ii. 23. Our business meanwhile is to place our hungry brethren where nature’s work is forwardest.

  c.  Of a pregnant animal: in or with foal, etc.

1684.  Lond. Gaz., No. 1910/4. A Red Cow … forward with Calf. Ibid. (1707), No. 4312/3. Lost … a bay Saddle Mare … forward in Fole.

1839.  Lincoln, etc. Gaz., 12 Feb., 2/3. Eleven ewes forward in lamb.

1857.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XVIII. I. 19. The mares are indulged a little as they get forward with foal.

  6.  Ready, prompt, eager (in an action or a cause); esp. with const. to (do something).

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xxxi. 45. The erle of Derby was that day a good knyght, and at the first assaute he was so forwarde, that he was stryken to the erth.

a. 1568.  Ascham, Scholem., I. (Arb.), 56. God grafte in vs the trewe knowledge of his woorde, with a forward will to folowe it.

1631.  Gouge, God’s Arrows, v. Ded. 406. Be not backward to patronize what you have been forward to produce.

a. 1633.  Austin, Medit. (1635), 231. We doe not reade (neither can it be collected in the Scripture, any where) that hee [St. Bartholomew] was ever forward of his Tongue: as some, of the Rest, were.

1644.  Laud, Wks. (1854), IV. 181. His Majesty’s piety was so forward, that nothing needed to be extorted from him.

1702.  C. Mather, Magn. Chr., II. App. (1852), 203. He was much forwarder to give it [his assent], than they were to ask it.

1818.  Jas. Mill, Brit. India, III. VI. i. 52. The authors of the present bill and their followers were to be ranked as the most forward and loud, who denounced parliament as so corrupt.

1875.  M. Pattison, Casaubon, 40. Both publishers and authors were always forward to send him copies of their learned publications.

  † b.  Inclined to or for (something). Obs.

1581.  J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 256 b. If I had bene of so lewde a disposition, & so foreward to sedition, as you suspect (Osorius) there wanted not at that tyme, both Princes, frendshyp and fautoures of the cause.

1681.  Baxter, Apol. Nonconf. Min., 4. When we that should have been the forwardest to Peace, could do no more to an Agreement among our selves, his Majesty was pleased to do more, and published his Gracious Declaration concerning Ecclesiastical Affairs.

1727.  Swift, Art Polite Lying, Wks. 1755, III. I. 118. One would not make … a hot-headed crack-brained coxcomb forward for a scheme of moderation.

  c.  Ardent, eager, spirited, zealous. ? Obs.

1587.  Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1551/2. Three sonnes, all forward, martiall, and valorous gentlemen.

1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., IV. i. 72. Fitzw. How fondly do’st thou spurre a forward Horse?

1611.  Tourneur, The Atheist’s Tragedie, II, i. Wks. 1878. I. 41 Bor. His forward spirit press’d into the front.

1680.  Otway, Orphan, I. i.

1804.  Wellington, in Gurw., Desp., III. 468. He is a gallant, forward officer, and they want some of that description.

  d.  transf. and fig. of things. ? Obs.

1605.  Camden, Rem., Ded. 1. This silly, pittifull, and poore Treatise was once vnaduisedly forward to haue bin dedicated to your good worship. But … It recalled it selfe in good time.

1695.  Blackmore, Prince Arthur, I. 654.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, II. iii. These Stakes also, being of a Wood very forward to grow.

1736.  Butler, Anal., I. i. Wks. 1874, I. 18. We are accustomed, from our youth up, to indulge that forward delusive faculty [imagination], ever obtruding beyond its sphere.

  7.  Well-advanced for one’s years, precocious.

1591.  Lyly, Endym., II. ii. It will be a forward cock that croweth in the shell.

1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., I. i. 203. Long liue thou, and these thy forward Sonnes. Ibid. (1600), As You Like It, III. iii. 14. Clo. When a mans verses cannot be vnderstood, nor a mans good wit seconded with the forward childe, Vnderstanding, it strikes a man more dead then a great reckoning in a little roome.

1714.  Restoration, in Villiers’ Wks. (1775), 8. He’s a pretty forward Boy about four and twenty.

1869.  Princess Alice, Mem., 25 April (1884), 215. They [my children] are so forward, clever, and spirited, that the least spoiling would do them great harm.

  8.  In bad sense: Presumptuous, pert; bold, immodest.

1561.  T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., III. xxii. (1634), 454. Some … doe raile at this doctrine with greater maliciousnesse, than that their forward pride ought to be suffered.

1602.  Warner, Alb. Eng., IX. xlvii. (1612), 221.

a. 1704.  T. Brown, Praise Poverty, Wks. 1730, I. 94. Thus a forward prating coxcomb appears to them a man of wit and good address.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 51, 28 April, ¶ 1. I have, from a very careful Education, contracted a great Aversion to the forward Air and Fashion which is practised in all Publick Places and Assemblies.

1775.  Sheridan, Duenna, I. iv. Louisa. Clara is of a cold temper, and would think this step of mine highly forward.

1806–7.  J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), VII. lxix. Hearing your favourite poem, play, &c. mammocked by the mouth of a forward Puppy.

1844.  Dickens, Mart. Chuz., xl. ‘Though you was the favouritest young for’ard hussy of a servant-gal as ever come into a house, either you leaves the place, or me.’

1888.  J. Payn, Myst. Mirbridge, v. ‘Do you call him “forward?”’ ‘Not if you object to it; but he was certainly free in his manners.’

  9.  Of persons, opinions: Advanced, extreme; in mod. use, favoring vigorous aggressive action.

1608.  F. Johnson, Cert. Reasons & Argts., To Rdr. I have … annexed sundry testimonies and Arguments out of the Books of the forward Preachers now abroad in mens hands.

1885.  Pall Mall G., 7 May, 1/2. You of all people in the world, the Forwardest of the Forward school, cannot complain of the advance of Empire. Ibid. (1887), 10 June, 7/1. Denouncing outrage and dynamite, and what are generally known as ‘forward’ measures.

  B.  adv.

  1.  Of extent in time: Towards the future, immediately afterwards and continuously onwards. Chiefly (and now only) in phrases from this day (time, etc.) forward. † Also, from this, from hence, (from) now, and so forward. Cf. FORTH adv. 3.

a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen., 788 (Gr.).

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5479 (Gött.).

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 743.

c. 1391.  Chaucer, Astrol., II. § 12. & fro that time forward al the nyht til the sonne arise than shal the verrey degree of the sonne shewe the howr of the planete.

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., lxi. 261 (Harl. MS.). I Resseyve [yow] fro hens forwarde to my Ioye.

1552.  Latimer, Serm. 2nd Sund. in Advent (1562), 132. If we will follow him and leave our wicked living, convert and turn ourselves unto him, be sorry for that which is past, and intend to amend our life now forward.

1600.  Holland, Livy, II. xli. 71. This is the first time that the law Agraria was published: and forward unto this present hower, it was never debated of, but with exceeding great stirs and troubles of the State.

c. 1680.  Beveridge, Serm. (1729), I. 547. From that time forward, whatsoever he spake, or did, or suffered, was doubtless some way or other in order to that end.

1853.  Maurice, Proph. & Kings, iii. 42. From that day forward, we are told, the Spirit of God came upon David.

1871.  Smiles, Charac., iii. (1876), 68. Their friendship was renewed; and the elder student from that time forward acted as the Mentor of the younger one.

  b.  With vbs., as look, think; esp. To look forward: to look ahead, to look expectantly towards the future or to a coming event.

1741.  Watts, Improv. Mind, I. i. Wks. (1813), 9. I would advise them once a day to think forward a little, what a contemptible figure they will make in age.

1743.  Richardson, Pamela, III. 343. For one, who can look forwarder than the Nine Days of Wonder, can easily despise so flashy and so transient a Glare.

1768.  Foote, Devil on 2 Sticks, I. Wks. 1799, II. 249. Inv. Banish your fears, and let us look forward, my love.

1816.  Keatinge, Trav. (1817), II. 23. Like chess-players, they seem always to look three moves forward.

1837.  Disraeli, Venetia, III. i. His visit to the hall was looked forward to with interest.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), IV. 45, Philebus, Introduction. All philosophies are refuted in their turn, says the sceptic, and he looks forward to all future systems sharing the fate of the past.

  c.  Comm. For future delivery or payment. To date forward: to post-date.

1881.  Daily News, 4 March. The orders being neither numerous nor large, and not a few dated forward.

1884.  Manch. Exam., 12 May, 4/4. Dating forward … is a thing unknown among shippers, for payment is usually made a week or so after the goods have been delivered.

1894.  Daily News, 28 March, 7/3. Maize still … dear, but cheaper forward.

  † 2.  Onward or further on in a series; onwards from a specified point. And so forward: = and so forth, et cetera. Cf. FORTH adv. 2. Obs.

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 173/2. Forwarde, or more vttyr, ultra, ulterius.

1582.  N. Lichefield, trans. Castanheda’s Conq. E. Ind., i. 2 a. Whether that from the Cape of Buena Esperansa forwarde there were anye Nauigation to the East India.

1583.  Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 34. If sixtie would serue, they must have an hundred, and so forward.

1659.  Hammond, On Ps., Annot. 3. From that tenth Psalm forward, the numbers differ.

1663.  Marvell, Corr., xlvii. Wks. 1872–5, II. 96. I am this day beginning my long voyage to Archangel, and so forward.

  † b.  In the first place, foremost: in phr. first and forward. Obs.

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. X. 127. Furst and foreward · to folk þat ben i-weddet.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 275. First and forward, ye han erred in th’assemblynge of youre conseillours.

  3.  Towards the front, in the direction which a person or thing faces. Forward of (U.S.): in front of. To put or set foot forward: see FOOT sb. 29.

1513.  More, in Grafton, Chron. (1568), II. 758. It is for truth reported, that the Duches his mother had so much a do in her trauaile, that she could not be deliuered of him vncut: and that he came into the world with the feete forward, as men be bore outward.

1548.  etc. [see FOOT sb. 29].

1669.  Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., II. 82. Bow the Head forward or backward, or over the one side or the other, till I see the utmost end of both the Crosses right one with the other.

1674.  Playford, Skill Mus., II. 103–4. You must begin with your Bow forward, though the Bow be drawn forward the Note before.

1703.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 226. There is a strong Steel Bow as at a, fastned about its middle part to the further side of the Puppet, which stands about an Inch forwarder than the Foreside of the Puppet with its hollow side to the Workman.

1762.  Foote, Lyar, III. Wks. 1799, I. 308. Miss God. Your hood a little forwarder, Miss.

1807.  Southey, Lett. fr. Eng., II. xlix. 270. The skirts of the coat were now cut away so as almost to leave all behind bare as a baboon, and now brought forward to meet over the thigh like a petticoat.

1852.  J. H. Newman, Scope Univ. Educ., 242. He may have no power at all of advancing one step forward of himself.

1856.  C. J. Andersson, Lake Ngami, 256. The strength of the ostrich is enormous. A single blow from its gigantic foot (it always strikes forward) is sufficient to prostrate, nay to kill, many beasts of prey.

1891.  M. E. Wilkins, Humble Romance, 165. She wore her iron-gray hair in two little thin dancing curls, one on each side of her narrow, sallow face, just forward of her cap.

  b.  To play forward, in Cricket: to reach forward in order to play a rather short-pitched ball.

1884.  Lillywhite’s Cricket Ann., 101. Rather too fond of playing forward.

1891.  W. G. Grace, Cricket, § 5, in Outdoor Games & Recreat., 23–4. If he [the batsman] runs out of his ground and plays forward, pitch shorter and shorter with a higher curve until he makes a mistake, and is either stumped, caught, or bowled.

  4.  Of continuous motion: Towards what is in front; (moving) onwards, on.

a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 847. Þe faster forward him he faris þe faster he snapirs.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 8 b. Suche … be not mete to … go forwarde in this pilgrymage.

1639.  Fuller, Holy War, IV. viii. (1840), 190. His ships were manned, victualled, and sailing forward; and in such great actions the setting forth is more than half the journey.

1697.  Dampier, Voy., I. xiii. 346–7. Meeting very strong Westerly Winds, we got nothing forward in many days.

1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., IV. § 15. He foretels to them, that, in case they walk straight forward, in half an Hour they shall meet Men or Cattle or come to a House.

1791.  Mrs. Radcliffe, Rom. Forest, i. It was about twelve o’clock, and he was desirous to hasten forward, that he might pass the forest of Fontanville, and reach the town on its opposite borders, before night-fall.

1855.  Mrs. Gatty, Parables fr. Nat., Ser. I. (1869), 50. The river is rushing forward; the clouds are hurrying onward; the winds are sweeping past, because here is not their Rest.

  b.  with ellipsis of some part of the vb. go. Also Mil., as a word of command Forward! For’ard on! in Fox-hunting: of the fox: Gone on in front.

a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lv. 186. When Huon saw that his horse wolde nother forwarde nor backe warde, he set his shelde agaynst his enemy.

1583.  Golding, Calvin on Deut., xv. 86. Therefore let vs on forewarde as he commandeth, and let vs not doubt but hee will be the same man to morrowe that he is to day.

1833.  Regul. Instr. Cavalry, I. 25. The word Forward … is given by the commander.

1844.  W. H. Kelly, trans. L. Blanc’s, The History of the Ten Years, 1830–40, II. 200. Ibrahim had only to take possession of Syria—and more, he had but to cry ‘Forward,’ and Constantinople was his.

  c.  In advance, in front, ahead.

1838.  Thirlwall, Greece, V. 369. Dercylus seems to have been sent forward.

1860.  Tyndall, Glac., I. xxv. 182. A stout rope was tied round the waist of one of our porters, and he was sent forward to test the [snow] bridge.

  d.  Back or backward and forward: to and fro; see BACK adv. 13 and BACKWARD adv. 5 b.

  5.  To the front or to a prominent position (from being behind or in the background), into view; esp. in phrases, as to bring forward (see also BRING v. 17). To come forward: see COME v. 58; also, to come into existence. To put or set forward: to put forth, advance, allege, offer; also refl. to give oneself (undue) prominence.

1611.  Bible, 2 Esdras iii. 6. And thou leddest him into paradise, which thy right hand had planted, before euer the earth came forward.

1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., III. xl. 252. To set forward … such doctrine as was agreeable to Moses his doctrine.

1783.  Burke, Rep. Affairs Ind., Wks. XI. 304. He certainly has it in his power not only to keep it back, and bring it forward at his own times, but even to shift and reverse the relations in the accounts.

1794.  Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xliv. Dorothée, who had lingered far behind, was called forward, under whose hand the door opened slowly.

1849.  G. P. R. James, The Woodman, xviii. Who are you, my good friend, who put yourself so forward?

1895.  Coulson Kernahan, God & Ant, Apol. (ed. 4), 9. That what they have to relate actually happened, is worst of all reasons which inexperienced writers put forward for setting pen to paper.

  † 6.  In front, on the front or front side. Obs.

1618.  Bolton, Florus, I. xviii. 57. All their wounds were forward, some found dead upon their Enemies bodies.

1663.  Gerbier, Counsel, 101. Who passing by a Town wherein the people generally did not out-live the thirtieth year of their Age, caused all the back of their Houses to be made the Front, and the windows which were forward to be made up, to free them from that infectious Air that did shorten their Lives.

  b.  fig. In a prominent position.

1796.  Burke, Lett. to C. J. Fox, Wks. 1842, II. 391. He has a young man attached to him, who stands very forward in parliament, and in profession, and, by what I hear, with more good-will and less envy, than usually attends so rapid a progress.

  7.  At an advanced point; at a point or position which is beyond or further than another. Cf. FORTH adv. 4.

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xvii. 18. The kyng and all his barones went out of the cite, and y^e first nyght they lodged vi. myle forwarde.

1611.  Bible, Num. xxxii. 19. Wee will not inherite with them on yonder side Iordane, or forward.

1647.  Sprigge, Anglia Rediviva, IV. ii. (1854), 198. To secure the landing of Irish or Welch supplies so much the forwarder towards the east.

1656.  H. Phillips, Purch. Patt. (1676), 162. Adding a cipher, and setting the (·) a figure forwarder.

1712.  J. James, trans. Le Blond’s Gardening, 52. A little forwarder you find small Cross-ways with four Alleys.

  b.  Of time: In advance.

1571.  Hanmer, Chron. Irel. (1633), 38. I thinke they are too forward in their computation.

1810.  Vince, Elem. Astron., xxiv. 289. The time at the place of observation is forwarder than that at Greenwich.

  8.  Naut. a. Of motion: Towards the fore part of a vessel.

1669.  Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., I. 17. The Wind is sharp, hawl forward the main Bowline.

1743.  Bulkeley & Cummins, Voy. S. Seas, 15. The Carpenter going forward to inspect the Chain-Plates, saw the Land from the Forecastle.

  b.  Of position: At or in the fore part of a vessel. Forward of (U.S.): in front of. † Forward on: at the fore end, forward.

1630.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Wks., I. 88/1. The Sayler imagined that his horse was too much laden ahead, or foreward on (as the sea phrase is).

1688.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2317/1. Captain Killegrew … being at the same time forward by the Gang-Way.

1691.  T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 124. The butt-ends thereof have been as it were abolished forward on for the easie passage of the Vessel through the water, and aft for the quick and effectual pulse of the water upon the Rudder.

1743.  Bulkeley & Cummins, Voy. S. Seas, 110. I believe Mr. B——n left us because he could not get any Accommodation aboard the Vessel that he lik’d, being oblig’d to lie forward with the Men.

1794.  Nelson, 5 Nov., in Nicolas, Disp., I. 504. Seven Sail of our Transports laying in a Tier under Cape Sepet above the Naval Hospital, with their Truce Flag hoisted forward, and the English Colours at the mizen-peak.

1840.  R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xxii. 67. Her only fault being, that of most fast ships,—that she was wet, forward.

a. 1864.  Hawthorne, Amer. Note-bks. (1879), I. 112. Forward of the ward-room, adjoining it, and on the same level, is the midshipmen’s room.

  9.  fig. Onward, so as to progress or advance. Chiefly in phr. to go forward (rarely with ellipsis of go): to be in progress or ‘on foot,’ to be going on. To build forward: to continue building.

1513.  More, in Grafton, Chron. (1568), II. 760. Where eche laboreth to breake that the other maketh, and where hatred is of eche others counsayle, there must it needes be long ere any good conclusion go forwarde.

1535.  Coverdale, Ezra iii. 8. To se that the worke of the house of the Lorde wente forwarde.

a. 1600.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., v. (1888), App. i. § 3. It is the nature of God’s most bountiful disposition to build forward where his foundation is once laid.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., III. ii. 91. Ste. Now forward with your Tale.

1665.  Manley, Grotius’ Low C. Warres, 177. He was called thence to the Council of England, where he would not forget to help forward the Belgick Affairs.

1717.  trans. Frezier’s Voy. S. Sea, 119. The Fruit Trees carried thither from Europe, answer in that Country to perfection; the Climate is so fertile when the Ground is water’d, that the Fruit is coming forward all the Year.

1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., xi. Mr. Burchell, who was of the party, was always fond of seeing some innocent amusement going forward, and set the boys and girls to blind man’s buff.

1788.  Franklin, Autobiog., Wks. 1840, I. 181. I am got forward too fast with my story.

1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 124. My models and preparatory matters were now so far brought forward, that the 13th of July was appointed by the Proprietors for receiving my explanation of what I had to lay before them.

1832.  Ht. Martineau, Life in Wilds, i. 18. In a few minutes they reached the place where dinner was going forward.

1865.  The Saturday Review, XX. 5 Aug., 165/1. Unless among those who are inclined to give some weight to the wishes and interests of the Crown there are men whose position, character, and past history induce more extreme partisans to make concessions, there is no getting any forwarder.

1891.  R. Kipling, City Dreadf. Nt., 43. Let’s go in here—there may be something forward.

  10.  Phrases. To put or set forward (a person): to start onward, give a start to. lit. and fig. To set forward (intr.): to start on a journey, set out.

1546.  J. Heywood, Prov. (1867), 17. Set forward, ye shall neuer labour yonger.

1582.  N. Lichefield, trans. Castanheda’s Conq. E. Ind., vii. 18. Such gale thereof as would serue to put him forward on his iourney.

1650.  Hubbert, Pill Formality, 202. The trips and slidings shall but set thee forwarder on thy journey.

1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., iii. The next morning we all set forward together.

1832.  Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, ii. 19. He thought within himself whether he should lay by the surplus to set his young people forward in the same way of life with himself, or whether he should give it them in the shape of such an education as he could procure for them.

1859.  Jephson, Brittany, xvi. 258. Word is brought to her godfather, who straightway sets forward to avenge her death, kills Rogerson with a blow of his sword, and rases the castle of Plogoff to the ground.

  11.  Comb. a. with pres. pple., as forward-bearing, -creeping, -flowing, -looking adjs. b. with pa. pple., as forward-turned adj.

1647.  H. More, Song of Soul, III. II. xxiii.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., ciii. 37.

1800.  Wordsw., Michael, 158.

c. 1611.  Chapman, Iliad, V. 46. It took his *forward-turned backe, and lookt out of his breast.

  C.  sb. [The adj. used absolutely.]

  † 1.  The fore or front part, the first part. On forward: in the beginning (see AFOREWARD). Obs.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Deut. xxviii. 13. Drihten þe ȝesett simle on foreweard & na on æfterweard.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 73. Onforward þos cristendomes ech man leornede his bileue er he fulht underfenge.

  † 2.  A trick in wrestling; a throw which causes one’s opponent to fall forward on his face. Obs.

1602.  Carew, Cornwall, 76 a. Many sleights and tricks appertaine hereunto [‘wrastling’], in which, a skilfull weake man wil soone get the ouerhand of one that is strong and ignorant. Such are the Trip, fore-Trip, Inturne, the Faulx, forward and backward, the Mare, and diuers other like.

1612.  Drayton, Poly-olb., i. 6.

  3.  Naut. (See quot.)

1892.  Labour Commission, Gloss., Foreward … the fore end of a barge or other craft.

  4.  Football. One who plays in the front line; one of the body of players termed ‘forwards,’ as opposed to ‘backs’ (see BACK sb. 21), whose duty is to be foremost in the attack.

1879.  Encycl. Brit., IX. 367/2. Under the Rugby code … fifteen a side [is] the usual number of players—ten ‘forwards,’ two ‘half backs,’ one ‘three-quarters back,’ and two ‘backs.’

1889.  Pauline, VIII. 33. There is much to be learnt by the forwards.

1895.  Daily Chron., 17 Jan., 6/4. The side whose forwards were beaten won the match.