-ward (?), -wards (?). [AS. -weard, -weardes; akin to OS. & OFries. -ward. OHG. -wert, G. -warts, Icel. -ver[eth]r, Goth. -va�xa1;r�xed;s, L. vertere to turn, versus toward, and E. worth to become. 143. See Worth. v. i., and cf. Verse. Adverbs ending in -wards (AS. -weardes) and some other adverbs, such as besides, betimes, since (OE. sithens). etc., were originally genitive forms used adverbially.]
Suffixes denoting course or direction to; motion or tendency toward; as in backward, or backwards; toward, or towards, etc.
© Webster 1913.