Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “henceforward” come from?

Henceforward derives from Middle English henceforth combined with Old English foreward, itself composed of Old English fore- meaning "before" and the Old English -ward suffix, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European per- meaning "forward" or "through."

henceforward (English): from now on; from this time on

Definitions

  1. from now on; from this time on

Ancestry of “henceforward”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishforwardToward the front or at the front; Without...
2Middle Englishforewardforward; agreement, contract, treaty, bargain,...
3Old Englishforeweardforward, fore, former, early, prior; an...
4Old Englishweardguard; guard, the action of looking out for...
5Old Englishōraore, unwrought metal
6Old Englishēarsea, ocean; grave, earth
7Proto-Germanicahazear
8Proto-Finnicahtasnarrow, cramped
9Proto-Balticanśtas—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂énǵʰusnarrow, tight
11Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂enǵʰ-to constrict, tighten, compress; narrow, tight;...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂enǵʰ- →