In the direction of someone or something, or closer to a particular situation, time, or feeling.
It comes from Old English 'tōweard', made from 'tō' meaning 'to' and '-weard' meaning 'toward' or 'in the direction of'. The '-ward' part appears in other direction words like 'forward' and 'backward'.
The same '-ward' ending in 'toward' shows up in 'upward', 'skyward', and 'homeward', all pointing you somewhere. Language quietly builds a compass into your sentences.
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