Towards

prep. and adv. Forms: 1 toweardes, 1, 6 to wardes, 3–7 towardes, (5 -is, -ys, tawardes, 6 towerdys, Sc. towartis, 7 towardst), 5– towards, (7–8 tow’rds). [OE. tóweardes, f. tóweard, TOWARD a., with -es, -s of adverbial genitive: see -WARDS.

  A.  prep.

  1.  Of motion, etc.: In the direction of, on the way to: = TOWARD prep. 1.

c. 888.  K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxix. § 1. Hwy ne maʓon ʓe ʓebidan ʓecyndelices deaðes, nu he eow ælce dæʓ toweardes onet?

c. 1122.  O. E. Chron., an. 1094. Se eorl innon Normandiʓ … mid þam cynge of France … ferdon to wardes Ou þær se cyng Willelm inne wæs.

c. 1205.  Lay., 515. Brutus iherde seggen … Þat Pandrasus þe king him towardes com Mid muchelere ferde.

1442.  T. Beckington, Corr. (Rolls), II. 190. Maister John de Batute departed hens on Saturday at noon towards his cuntrey.

1538.  in R. G. Marsden, Sel. Pleas Crt. Admiralty (1894), I. 73. They made saile towards their owne countrey.

1552.  Huloet, Towardes and toward…. Yet marke the maner of phrase as you dyd in amonge & amongest.

1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., x. The procession marching slowly forward towards the church.

1816.  J. Wilson, City of Plague, I. i. Every step I take Towards the city.

1860.  Tyndall, Glac., I. viii. 59. I turned towards home.

  † b.  pred. after to be: On the way to: = TOWARD prep. 1 b. Obs.

1601.  Shaks., All’s Well, III. ii. 71. Towards Florence is he?

  † c.  To (with implication of reaching): = TOWARD prep. 1 c. Obs.

1467.  Coventry Leet Bk., 335. Also þat [they] sufficiently amende þe fotewey towardes Crab-tre-feld.

1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. xxii. 29. Too dispatche and sende away the knight … towardes the court, too aduertise the king.

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iii. 121. I will … pace softly towards my Kinsmans.

1613.  T. Milles, trans. Mexia’s, etc., Treas. Anc. & Mod. T., 698/1. Pope Innocent … sent verie Learned and Religious men towards Baty.

  2.  Of position: In the direction of; on the side next to; directed to, facing: = TOWARD prep. 2.

1423.  James I., Kingis Q., civ. Benignely sche turnyt has hir face Towardis me.

1503.  in Lett. Rich. III. & Hen. VII. (Rolls), I. 202. The said bishop as he stode … towardes the quere.

1555.  Bradford, in Strype, Eccl. Mem. (1721), III. App. xlv. 129. To make all our Haven-Townes mor stronger towardes the Land, than they be towardes the Sea.

1611.  Bible, Ps. xxv. 15. Mine eyes are euer towards the Lord.

1662.  J. Davies, trans. Olearius’ Voy. Ambass., 58. Canon, with the mouths towards that street.

1726.  Leoni, Alberti’s Archit., I. 99/2. Hills towards the North … encrease the heat.

1727.  Swift, Let. Eng. Tongue, Wks. 1755, II. I. 186. The Northern parts lying towards the Euxine.

1851.  Helps, Comp. Solit., vi. 85. I sat upon a garden seat in a sheltered nook towards the south.

  † b.  Beside, near; in attendance on, about; in the possession of; with: = TOWARD prep. 2 b. Obs.

1447[?].  Lett. Marg. Anjou & Bp. Beckington (Camden), 94. We … praye yow hertely, that … ye wil have oure said secretary towards yow.

1459.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 367. Persones of grete myght, havyng towardes theym of their lyverey … such multitude of Robbers, Rioters, and myschevous persones.

1614–5.  Archdeaconry of Essex Minutes, lf. 103 b (MS.). The prince his landresse and a man towards the prince were by the harbenger placed to lodge in his house.

1664.  Marvell, Corr., Wks. (Grosart), II. 166. Had chosen his Excellence the Earle of Carlisle … for his Ambassador Extraordinary towards him.

  3.  In the direction of (fig.). a. gen. = TOWARD prep. 3 a.

1634.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 49. Their beauties are … such as preuaile in my iudgement, towards chastitie, more then Ouids Remedy of Loue.

1692.  E. Walker, trans. Epictetus’ Mor., lxxi. He that labours on Towards Perfection.

1763.  J. Brown, Poetry & Mus., xiv. 241. In all polished States, these Arts have a natural Tendency towards Corruption.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 231. The king was suspected by many of a leaning towards Rome.

1871.  R. H. Hutton, Ess., v. (1888), 118. The absolute will towards right.

  b.  Introducing the object of action or feeling: = TOWARD prep. 3 b.

1390.  Gower, Conf., II. 32. I mai wel … Excuse me of necgligence Towardes love in alle wise.

1483.  in Lett. Rich. III. & Hen. VII. (Rolls), I. 48. Good will towardes hir housband. Ibid. (c. 1495), II. 57. To ordre that matier towardis hym as he shalbe right well contented.

1536.  Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889), I. 498. Thankes off hys grett goodnes towerdys me.

1536.  in Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden), 99. How I shal use me self towardes thaim.

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., VI. ii. 11. To blame him for such cruelty Towards a Ladie.

1682.  Norris, Hierocles, 32. Friendship ought to be exercised towards all, but especially toward good men.

1713.  Berkeley, Guard., No. 3, ¶ 1. A sense of piety towards heaven.

1802–12.  Bentham, Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827), IV. 53. He has as good a pretence and (as towards the public) a justification, as heart can wish.

1885.  Manch. Exam., 10 July, 5/2. The sentiments of the Thibetans towards us.

  † c.  In favor of; favorable to: = FOR prep. 7. Obs. rare.

1472.  Paston Lett., III. 52. To have thys Parlement as for one of the burgeys of the towne of Maldon, syche a man of worchep and of wytt as wer towardys my seyd Lady. Ibid. (1477), 171. And [= if] ye come and fynde the mater no more towards you then ye dyd afortyme.

  d.  Compared to, in comparison with: = TO prep. 18, TOWARD prep. 3 d. Now dial.

c. 1568.  Coverdale, Bk. Death, xxv. (1579), 113. In comparison whereof … myrthe and cheere vpon earth is scarce to be esteemed as castinge counters towardes the finest coynes of Golde.

1685.  Travestin, Siege Newheusel, 27. They fought with such desperation and courage towards what they had done before.

1887.  S. Cheshire Gloss., To’arts as, in comparison with.

  e.  In expression of good wishes for (a person, or his health): = TO prep. 12 a, 26 b. dial.

1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., xxi. Drinking towards my good health.

1855.  Thackeray, Newcomes, xi. Here’s towards you, my buck.

  4.  Of time or succession: = TOWARD prep. 4.

1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., III. v. 101. I goe, and towards three or foure a Clocke Looke for the Newes.

1661.  Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min., Introd. Snailes, which some count most dainty sweet and nourishing meat, and are best towards winter.

1754.  Sherlock, Disc. (1759), I. ix. 251. These Words stand towards the Close of St. John’s Gospel.

1836.  Backwoods of Canada, 208. The skins are very thick and glossy towards winter.

1886.  C. E. Pascoe, Lond. of To-day, xxxi. (ed. 3), 282. In Whitehall Gardens … Beaconsfield lived for a short time towards the latter part of his life.

  5.  ‘Getting on for,’ verging upon, nearly as much as; tending to: = TOWARD prep. 5.

1570.  Foxe, A. & M. (ed. 2), 2276/2. Being iudged by the common people, more then an hundreth yeare of age, and by her own estimation well towardes a c.

1619.  Hales, Gold. Rem., II. (1673), 84. When Gomarus had spoken towards an hour and a half.

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 77. Water, thicker, and more towards Ice, than Common Water.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 437, ¶ 1. She was gay, airy, and a little towards Libertine in her Carriage.

1777.  Burke, Corr. (1844), II. 195. Where there are towards six hundred persons.

1845.  J. H. Newman, Ess. Developm., 41. When he is towards fifty, Mr. Wesley marries.

  † 6.  In prospect of, approaching: = TOWARD prep. 6. Obs.

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cccxxvii. 512. He was towardes a treaty for a maryage for him with the doughter of y^e kyng of Castell.

1541.  St. Papers Hen. VIII., VIII. 599. As towching ony maryage that she was towardes, I harde of non.

1611.  Tourneur, Ath. Trag., II. v. What, is not thy mistresse towards a husband yet?

a. 1624.  Bp. M. Smith, Serm. (1632), 141. I did not know that thou hadst a cause towards hearing.

1661.  in Verney Mem. (1907), II. 175. I here your son is towardes a good fortewen.

1688.  Shadwell, Sqr. Alsatia, V. Your brother has heard of this great match you are towards.

  † b.  Coming upon, in store for: = TOWARD prep. 6 b. Obs.

1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 14 b. There was muche trouble towardes him, what by the Turkes, and what by the Frenche men.

1633.  Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, N. T., 123. Jesus … well knew what evill was towards him.

1719.  Young, Busiris, V. i. I fear some ill is tow’rds me.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, VIII. vi. I dreamed … that I stumbled over a stool without hurting myself; which plainly showed me something good was towards me.

  7.  In contribution to; for making up, promoting, etc.: = TOWARD prep. 7.

1474.  Coventry Leet Bk., 412. Such benivolence as his louyng subgettes there schall shewe vnto hym towardes his grete viage in-to ffraunce.

1521.  in Essex Rev., XIII. 221. Item I bequeth to Bryghtlyngsey Church towards lengthing of our Lady Chapell … iii. quarters of the ship called the Trinitie.

1639.  S. Du Verger, trans. Camus’ Admir. Events, 77. Nothing could have prevailed towards the saving of his life.

1729.  Law, Serious C., viii. She pays their rent, and gives them something yearly towards their clothing.

1806.  Act 46 Geo. III., c. 132 (title), To advance a certain sum … towards that purpose.

1908.  Month, March, 317. This is a contribution towards what is now denominated ‘Methodology.’

  8.  For to … -wards, separated by the sb. or pron., see -WARDS. Cf. TO prep. 2 e, TOWARD prep. 8.

  B.  adv. or predicative adj.

  I.  Predicative, or following a sb.: cf. predicative uses of TOWARD a.

  † 1.  In preparation, at hand, coming on, imminent: cf. TOWARD a. 2 b. Obs.

1468.  Sir J. Paston, in P. Lett., II. 328. If ye undrestond that any assawte schold be towardys.

1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. xxii. 28. There was no danger towards.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. v. 124. We haue a trifling foolish Banquet towards.

1637.  Suckling, Aglaura, II. i. If there be not some great storme towards, Ne’er trust me.

1652.  Dorothy Osborne, Lett. (1888), 30. His marriage, which I hear is towards, with a daughter of [etc.].

1697.  Vanbrugh, Relapse, III. ii. Take heed my heart, for there are dangers towards.

  † 2.  Favorable, compliant, forward, ready. Obs.

c. 1525.  Abp. Warham, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. I. 366. Seing men grudgeth to be towardes in graunting, it is to be feared they will make more murmur and busynes in the tyme of payment.

  † 3.  At hand, ready, present: cf. TOWARD a. 6.

1548.  Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. John, 71 b. Being redy and towardes at his call.

1564.  Haward, Eutropius, VI. K vij b. Hys Sonne also, a valyaunte and worthye yonge man towardes.

  II.  4. In the direction of some person or thing indicated by the context (cf. TOWARD adv. 1, forwards, onwards). Obs. or arch.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. ii. 15. The knight…, when him he spide,… Gan fairely couch his speare, and towards ride. Ibid., II. iv. 37. A varlet ronning towards hastily.

1592.  Arden of Feversham, III. vi. At your dags discharge Make towards.

1818.  Keats, Endym., III. 494. This fire, like the eye of gordian snake, Bewitched me towards; and I soon was near A sight too fearful for the feel of fear.

  † b.  ? Towards some end or purpose; (as a contribution) towards something. Obs.

1473.  Sir J. Paston, in P. Lett., III. 104. I pray yow sende me worde … iff I have Caster ageyn, whethyr she [my modre] wolle dwelle ther or nott, and I wyll fynde hyr a prest towardes at my charge.

  † 5.  Onwards, on (in quot., of time): cf. TOWARD adv. 2. Obs. rare^–1.

1586.  J. Hooker, Hist. Irel., in Holinshed, II. 158/1. The daie being spent to small purpose, and the night drawne towards, he incamped.