Towardness
/təˈwɔːrdnəs/noun
The quality or state of being directed toward something or someone, or of being favorable toward them.
Did you know?The older word “toward” could mean not only “in the direction of,” but also “obliging” or “friendly,” giving “towardness” both directional and relational shades.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wer-
“To perceive, watch, or guard; the reconstructed root behind later Germanic guarding terms.”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*wardaz
“A guard, watcher, or one who keeps watch.”
Old English
Old English
tōweard
“Toward, approaching, or directed in a particular direction; literally formed from tō, “to,” plus weard, “ward.””
Middle English
Middle English
toward
“In the direction of; also inclined or favorable toward someone.”
Modern English
English
towardness
“The state or quality of being toward; a rare noun formed from toward plus the abstract suffix -ness.”