Now Obs. or arch. [f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality or condition of being ‘toward.’
† 1. Disposition, inclination towards or to do something; readiness, willingness. Obs.
1461. Coventry Leet Bk., 316. Trustyng … that ye in so doyng shall thynke your true hertis and towardnesse right welle be-sette.
1530. Tindale, Answ. More, IV. xi. Wks. (1573), 337/2. What good towardnes can we haue vnto the will of God while we hate it and be ignoraunt therof?
1563. Randolph, in Robertson, Hist. Scot., II. App. vii. (1759), 14. This queen being before advertized of his towardness, by many means, hath sought … to know my lord of Murray’s mind herein.
1610. E. Skory, Extr. Hist. French Hen. IV., 2. Hee had not drawen the breath of seuen yeeres in this world; but his qualitie drewe him into the knowledge of the world: where, his royall towardnesse begot him estimation.
1692. Burnet, Past. Care, viii. 101. [This] may put some of them in a greater towardness to hear Reason.
2. spec. Willingness and aptness to learn; natural aptitude and good disposition; docility, tractableness; forwardness in learning or practice, ‘promise,’ proficiency.
1509. Fisher, Funeral Serm. C’tess Richmond, Wks. 1876, I. 292. In her tendre aege she beynge endued with so grete towardnes of nature, & lyklyhode of enherytaunce.
1564. Haward, Eutropius, IX. 98. A yonge man of a wonderful towardnesse.
1601. Fulbecke, 1st Pt. Parall., 24. Knighthoode is bestowed in regard of precedent merite, or of some eminent prowesse and towardnesse.
1671. F. Philipps, Reg. Necess., 222. That none should be admitted into any place within his House … but such as be of good towardness, likelihood, behaviour, demeanour and conversation.
† 3. Condition or appearance of approaching in time, coming on or impending; imminence; likelihood, prospect. Obs.
1549. in Strype, Eccl. Mem. (1721), II. 310. If there should be any towardness of a meeting … likely to take any good effect, they would certify him of it.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, IV. (1598), 392. O Mopsa,… here am I thine owne father Dametas, neuer in such a towardnesse of hanging, if thou canst not helpe mee.
1660. Sharrock, Vegetables, 12. When the great frosts breake, at the first towardnesse to spring.
1721. Strype, Eccl. Mem., II. 310. If there appeared any towardness of a good conclusion, he should be certified of it.
† 4. State of advancement or forwardness; in (a) good (etc.) towardness, making good progress, getting on well. Obs.
1475. Sir J. Paston, in P. Lett., III. 122. All suche coumfforte as ye ffynde or heer off the towardnesse theroff.
1577. Vautrouillier, Luther on Ep. Gal., 107. All things were in a happie course and great towardnes with you.
1579–80. North, Plutarch (1676), 225. All his doings, which were now so far onwards in good towardness.
