Unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient; adverse or unfavorable in character or outcome.
From Middle English, literally meaning 'not toward' - from un- (not) plus toward. Originally meant 'not compliant' or 'froward,' but evolved to mean 'improper' or 'adverse' by the 16th century.
The word 'untoward' is delightfully paradoxical - it literally means 'not toward' but we use it to describe things that are very much moving toward us, usually problems or difficulties! The archaic meaning of 'toward' as 'compliant' or 'docile' explains this seeming contradiction - untoward things are those that won't behave as expected.
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