untowards

English edit

Etymology edit

From un- +‎ towards.

Adjective edit

untowards (comparative more untowards, superlative most untowards)

Obsolete form of untoward.
- 1525, Henry Ellis, editor, Original Letters, Illustrative of English History; Including Numerous Royal Letters: From Autographs in the British Museum, the State Paper Office, and One or Two Other Collections, third series, volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], published 1846, page 360:
  After this I shewed theym, that if they orels the most parte of theyme wold denye at this tyme to make contribution to the Kinges Hieghnes, ther is no wise man but wool thinke that they have made bandds and promises, and that it apperith, seing they be thus vntowards that they be lincked together, for commonlye they aggreid in oon aunswer.
- 1548 January 31, Nicolas Udal, transl., The First Tome or Volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente, London: […] Edwarde Whitchurche, folio xlvii, recto:
  But the luſtes of this world maketh many one vntowardes to be taughte: […]
- 1624, Iohn Smith, The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles: […], London: […] I[ohn] D[awson] and I[ohn] H[aviland] for Michael Sparkes, page 211:
  […] and if they ſhould be vntowards, as it is moſt certaine they will, thirtie or fortie good men will be ſufficient to bring them all in ſubiection, and make this prouiſion, if they vnderſtand what to doe; […]
- 1642, D[aniel] R[ogers], Matrimoniall Honour: or, The Mutuall Crowne and Comfort of Godly, Loyall, and Chaste Marriage. […], London: […] Th: Harper for Philip Nevil, […], page 135:
  If private duties be occaſioned, much more awek and untowards they are: […]

References edit

James A. H. Murray [et al.], editors (1884–1928), “† Unto·wards, a.”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volumes X, Part 1 (Ti–U), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 379, column 3.