Where does “unbackward” come from?

unbackward (English) comes from English backward, from Middle English bakwarde, from English -ward, 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.

unbackward (English): Not backward

Definitions

  1. Not backward

Ancestry of “unbackward”, step by step

unbackward traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English backward

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbackwardIn the direction towards the back; In the...
2Middle Englishbakwarde
3English-wardForming adverbs denoting course or direction to,...
4Old English-weardForming adjectives and nouns from adjectives or...
5Proto-Germanicwardazturned; turned toward; facing; Alternative form...
6Proto-Germanicwerþazworthy, valuable
7Proto-Indo-Europeanwert-to turn, to rotate
8Proto-Indo-Europeanwer-to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel

via English un

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishunOne
Every word from Proto-Indo-European wer-
unbackward — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer