suffix (also -wards) added to nouns of place or destination and to adverbs of direction and forming: 1 adverbs (usu. -wards) meaning 'towards the place etc.' (moving backwards; set off homewards). 2 adjectives (usu. -ward) meaning 'turned or tending towards' (a downward look; an onward rush). 3 (less commonly) nouns meaning 'the region towards or about' (look to the eastward).
[ from or after OE - weard f. a Gmc root meaning 'turn' ]