Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “froward” come from?

Froward comes from Middle English froward, meaning "difficult to deal with" or "contrary," though its ultimate origin remains uncertain.

froward (English): Disobedient, contrary, unmanageable; difficult to...

Definitions

  1. Disobedient, contrary, unmanageable; difficult to...

Ancestry of “froward”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwardA warden; a guard; a guardian or watchman;...
2Middle Englishwardward, keeping
3Old Englishweardguard; guard, the action of looking out for...
4Old Englishōraore, unwrought metal
5Old Englishēarsea, ocean; grave, earth
6Proto-Germanicahazear
7Proto-Finnicahtasnarrow, cramped
8Proto-Balticanśtas—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂énǵʰusnarrow, tight
10Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂enǵʰ-to constrict, tighten, compress; narrow, tight;...

Words derived from “froward”

  • frowardness
  • frow
  • froe
  • frowardly
  • frower
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂enǵʰ- →