Where does “-ward” come from?
-ward (English) comes from Old English -weard, from Proto-Germanic wardaz, from Proto-Germanic werþaz, from Proto-Indo-European wert-, from Proto-Indo-European wer- — to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel.
-ward (English): Forming adverbs denoting course or direction to,...
Definitions
- Forming adverbs denoting course or direction to,...
Ancestry of “-ward”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | -weard | Forming adjectives and nouns from adjectives or... |
| 2 | Proto-Germanic | wardaz | turned; turned toward; facing; Alternative form... |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | werþaz | worthy, valuable |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | wert- | to turn, to rotate |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | wer- | to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel |