Word Study
[2x]
:
-ward
CIDE DICTIONARY
-ward, v. i. [AS. -weard, -weardes; akin to OS. & OFries. -ward. OHG. -wert, G. -wärts, Icel. -ver&edh;r, Goth. -vaírþs, L. vertere to turn, versus toward, and E. worth to become. √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. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
-ward, 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).
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).
Etymology
from or after OE - weard f. a Gmc root meaning 'turn'
For further exploring for "-ward" in Webster Dictionary Online