Middle English Dictionary Entry

tọ̄̆ward prep.
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Entry Info

Forms tọ̄̆ward prep. Also towarde, -war(t, touarde, touwar(d, towerd, -wert, taward(e, -wart, twoward, tort, (early) toweard, -wārð, touwward.
Etymology OE tōweard, tōwærd prep.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. her-toward adv., hider-toward adv., & ther-toward adv.
1.
In the direction of (sb. or sth.): (a) with verbs and verb phrases of motion and a place, structure, etc. as obj.; also in fig. context; also with modal and ellipsis of inf. of motion [quot. 1440]; also with noun phrase [quot. 1451]; (b) with verbs and verb phrases of motion and a person or group as obj.; also, in the direction of (God) [quot. a1398]; (c) with verbs and verb phrases of motion and an event or a state as obj.; also in fig. context; (d) with misc. verbs and verb phrases (of looking, pointing, etc.); also, at (sb. or sth.); also in fig. context.
Show 66 Quotations
2.
(a) To (a place); up to (a place); into (a city, land, etc.); also, into the presence of (sb.), to;—usu. with verbs of motion [some quots. may belong to sense 1.(a)]; (b) at some point on the way to (a place);—used with ben v.
Show 16 Quotations
3.
(a) Next to (sth., a place, or sb.), near; closest to (sth.); on the side facing (a direction, compass point, etc.); also, in the vicinity of (sb. or sth.); lying toward (sth.), extending toward; (b) so as to approach (a place, the site of an event); also, so as to reach (heaven); so as to accomplish (a journey); so as to be receptive to (spiritual matters); the (right) wei ~, thane wei ~, etc.; (c) directed at (a compass point, the sun, etc.), facing; also, overlooking (a place); (d) in attendance at (an event).
Show 35 Quotations
4.
With verbs of speaking, talking, etc.: to (sb.); also, at or about (sb.) [quot. c1300 SLeg.MPChr.].
Show 10 Quotations
5.
(a) Tending toward (a quality, disposition, etc.); also, similar to (sth.); lik ~; (b) with the approach of (a time of day); approaching (day, night, etc.), near; also, at the time for (bed, dawn); (c) at the point of (death); near (the end of a treatise); also, on the verge of (a disaster); (d) with ellipsis of verb: coming soon to (sb.).
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6.
In a state of submission to (sb., God, a god), subject to; under the control of (sb., an organization); also, in a state of benevolence toward (sb.).
Show 13 Quotations
7.
In preparation for (an activity); for use in (an activity); in furtherance of (a goal); also, prepared for (bed).
Show 9 Quotations
8.
(a) In or with respect to (sb., sth., God), relative to; as ~, as for, regarding; (b) in expressions of benevolent or hostile relations: for (sb.), toward; against (sb., God).
Show 28 Quotations
9.
In descriptions of the transfer of money or property: to (sb.); from (sb.).
Show 2 Quotations

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