-WARD


Meaning of -WARD in English

I. adjective suffix

also -wards

Etymology: -ward from Middle English, from Old English -weard; akin to Old High German -wart, -wert -ward, Latin vertere to turn; -wards from -wards, adverb suffix — more at worth

1. : that moves, tends, faces, or is directed toward

river ward

2. : that occurs or is situated in the direction of

left ward

II. adverb suffix

or -wards

Etymology: -ward from Middle English, from Old English -weard, from -weard, adjective suffix; -wards from Middle English, from Old English -weardes, genitivesingular neuter of -weard, adjective suffix

1. : in a (specified) spatial or temporal direction

up ward

after ward

2. : toward a (specified) point, position, or area

earth ward

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.