-ward \-ward\ (w[~e]rd), -wards \-wards\ (w[~e]rdz). [AS.
-weard, -weardes; akin to OS. & OFries. -ward. OHG. -wert, G.
-w["a]rts, Icel. -ver[eth]r, Goth. -va['i]r[thorn]s, L.
vertere to turn, versus toward, and E. worth to become.
[root]143. See Worth. v. i., and cf. Verse. Adverbs
ending in -wards (AS. -weardes) and some other adverbs, such
as besides, betimes, since (OE. sithens). etc., were
originally genitive forms used adverbially.]
Suffixes denoting course or direction to; motion or tendency
toward; as in backward, or backwards; toward, or towards,
etc.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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