I. ˈfȯrwərd, ˈfȯ(ə)wəd also in the South ˈfärwərd, ˈfȧwəd sometimes ˈfȯrəd adjective
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English forward, foreward, from Old English foreweard fore, former, toward the front, from fore- + -weard -ward
1.
a. : near, at, or belonging to the forepart
the forward gun in a ship
b. : situated in advance
baggage is carried in the forward cars
c. : of, being, or situated in or near the immediate vicinity of an area of actual opposition or conflict of military forces
arranging forward transport
a forward area
2.
a. : strongly inclined : anxious , eager , ready
always forward to criticize his neighbors
b. archaic : ardent , spirited , zealous
c. : tending to push oneself forward : lacking proper modesty and reserve : brash , bold , indecorous
badly disciplined children are often distressingly forward
a flashy forward young woman
3. : notably advanced or developed : precocious
the child was very forward at walking
a.
(1) of vegetation : advanced in growth beyond what is normal for the season
a location sheltered from late sun avoids too forward blossom which might be nipped by frost
(2) of a season : advanced beyond what is usual : early
spring was very forward that year
b. of a female animal : far-advanced in pregnancy
bring only forward ewes into the lambing pen
c.
(1) of an animal : large and well-grown for its age
fattening forward stocks for market
(2) of a two-year-old registered horse : born early in the year so that when officially two years old on January first it will be nearly three years old in chronological fact
the demand for forward two-year-olds necessitates a short breeding season … and the months most favorable for … regular ovulations are lost — Veterinary Bulletin
4.
a. : moving, tending, or leading toward a position in front
picked her forward way down the cluttered aisle
checked a sudden forward movement of the dog with a word
b. : more nearly ahead of the extended line of the popping crease than usual — used of a cricket fieldsman or his position
forward short leg
forward point
5.
a. : supporting or advocating an advanced policy or energetic action in the direction of what is considered progress
forward statesmen
a firm forward policy
b. : extreme , radical , ultra
on the forward fringe of liberalism
6. : of, relating to, or for the future : relating to or for future delivery
forward buying of produce
II. adverb
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English forewearde, from forweard, adjective
: to or toward what is before or in front: as
a. : toward, into, or through the future
from that time forward
looking forward to the time I retire
b. : in a forward direction
they went slowly forward through the mud
c. : to or into the fore part of a ship — opposed to aft
sent the sailors forward
d. : into prominence
he first came forward with the adoption of his control plan
the brush and rocks came forward as we approached and we saw it was no easy climb
e. : to the front of the church as a sign of conversion
came forward when the evangelist gave the invitation
went forward on the first evening of the revival
III. noun
( -s )
1. : the forepart of a ship
2.
a. : one of the players in certain games (as soccer, hockey, basketball, or water polo) who is stationed at or relatively near the front of his side or team and whose chief duty is to carry on the offensive play — see volleyball illustration
b. : a defensive or offensive lineman in football — compare back I 5a
IV. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: forward (II)
1. : to help onward : advance , promote , hasten
forwarding the growth of a plant with proper lighting
his good work should forward him in rank
2.
a. : to send forward : send toward the place of destination : transmit
I shall forward the bill of lading this afternoon
we will forward the goods on receipt of your check
b. : to send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit (as from one carrier to another or from the post office of address to another)
left before your letter came but I forwarded it to her new address
prepared to receive and forward foreign shipments at minimum cost
3. : to perform on (a book) the construction operations following sewing
Synonyms: see advance , send