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towards (iou)



towards preposition, adjective, & adverb. OE.
[formed as TOWARD adjective & adverb + -S3: see -WARDS.]
A. preposition.
In the direction of, on the way to, so as to approach. OE.
D. Abse My mother walked over towards me. E. Bowen The Jaguar must have been nosing towards it for some time. J. Herbert He lolled his head towards her. M. Amis Joggers heading towards the park. fig.: Times Educational Supplement Ministers were not considering moving towards a baccalaureate.
b. To, so as to reach. LME-E17.
c. On the way to (a place). rare (Shakes.). Only in E17.
Directed to, facing, on the side next to. LME.
A. Helps A..seat in a sheltered nook towards the south. E. Waugh Mrs Stitch turned her face..towards her visitor.
b. In attendance on, beside, with. LME-M17.
As regards, in relation to, in respect of. LME.
J. Simms I grew bitter towards my sister. Lifestyle Modern attitudes towards homosexuality are..wrong.
b. Compared to, in comparison with. Now dial. M16.
c. towards X, towards X's health: used as a toast. Now arch. & dial. M18.
Nearly as late or as far on as, shortly before, near. LME.
V. S. Pritchett The sea-fog began to lift towards noon. Linguist Towards the end of the century, Romanticism made a come-back.
As a contribution to; for making up or assisting a sum, total, etc. L15.
W. Law She pays..something yearly towards their clothing. I. Colegate To offer..a small cheque towards the expenses.
a. In prospect of or approaching an event, acquisition, etc. E16-L17.
b. Coming up or in store for. M16-M18.
Verging on, nearly as much or as many as. L16.
J. H. Newman When he is towards fifty, Mr. Wesley marries.
b. pred. adjective. = TOWARD adjective 2. LME-L18.
C. adverb.
= TOWARD adverb 2. arch. LME.
Towards an end or purpose, as a contribution towards something. Only in L15.