towardly

English

Etymology

From Middle English towardly; equivalent to toward +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈtəʊ(w)ədli/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈtɔɹdli/

Adjective

towardly (comparative more towardly, superlative most towardly)

1. Promising, propitious.
   • 1644, John Milton, Areopagitica:

     What wants there to such a towardly and pregnant soile, but wise and faithfull labourers, to make a knowing people, a Nation of Prophets, of Sages, and of Worthies.

   • 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author, by a Lucky Accident, Finds Means to Leave Blefuscu; and, after Some Difficulties, Returns Safe to his Native Country.”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part I (A Voyage to Lilliput), page 147:

     My Son Johnny, named ſo after his Uncle, was at the Grammar School, and a towardly Child. My daughter Betty (who is now well married, and has Children) was then at her Needle-Work.

Derived terms

• towardliness

Middle English

Etymology

From toward +‎ -ly.

Adjective

towardly

1. Willing to act in a way favourable to others; obliging.

Adverb

towardly

1. In a manner that displays willingness to act favourably or pleasingly for others; obligingly.

Related terms

• toward

References

• “towardly, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 17 April 2018.
• “towardly, adv.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 17 April 2018.