Where does “townward” come from?

townward (English) comes from English ward, from Middle English ward, from Old English weard, from Old English ōra, from Old English ēar, from Proto-Germanic ahaz, from Proto-Finnic ahtas, from Proto-Baltic anśtas — to constrict, tighten, compress; narrow, tight;...

townward (English): Towards a town; Towards a town; townwards

Definitions

  1. Towards a town; Towards a town; townwards

Ancestry of “townward”, step by step

townward traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English ward

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;...

via English town

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishtownA settlement; an area with residential districts,...
2Middle Englishtountown
3Middle EnglishendeThe end or finishing of a thing; the terminal...
4Old Englishendeend, limit, border, corner
5Proto-Germanicandiin addition, furthermore, and
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂éntiopposite; near; in front
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂éntsforehead; front
8Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂ent-face; forehead; front
9Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂en-on, onto
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂enǵʰ-
townward — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer