towardly
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English towardly; equivalent to toward + -ly.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
towardly (comparative more towardly, superlative most towardly)
- 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 edit
Middle English edit
Etymology edit
Adjective edit
towardly
- Willing to act in a way favourable to others; obliging.
Adverb edit
towardly
- In a manner that displays willingness to act favourably or pleasingly for others; obligingly.
Related terms edit
References edit
- “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.