Defn: Near; at hand; in state of preparation.
Do you hear sught, sir, of a battle toward Shak.
We have a trifling foolish banquet Towards. Shak.

TOWARD
To"ward, a. Etym: [AS. Toward, prep.]

1. Approaching; coming near. "His toward peril." Spenser.

2. Readly to do or learn; compliant with duty; not froward; apt; docile; tractable; as, a toward youth.

3. Ready to act; forward; bold; valiant. Why, that is spoken like a toward prince. Shak.

TOWARDLINESS
To"ward*li*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being towardly; docility;
tractableness.
The beauty and towardliness of these children moved her brethren to
envy. Sir W. Raleigh.

TOWARDLY
To"ward*ly, a.

Defn: Same as Toward, a., 2.
He's towardly and will come on apace. Dryden.

TOWARDNESS
To"ward*ness, n.