bedward, -wards, adv.
(ˈbɛdwəd, -z)
[f. bed n. + -wards: orig. to bedward.]
1. Towards bed, in the direction of bed.
| c 1530 J. Rhodes Bk. Nurture in Babees Bk. (1868) 69 When your mayster intendeth to bedward. 1667 Milton P.L. iv. 352 Others on the grass Coucht..Or Bedward ruminating. 1820 Scott Monast. xiv, The signal to move bedward. 1834 Lamb Wks. (1852) 181 When the dark night comes and they are creeping bedwards. |
† 2. Towards bedtime; just before going to bed.
| c 1430 Diatorie in Babees Bk. (1868) 56 Use fier bi þe morewe, & to bedward at eue. c 1515 Barclay Eglog. iii. (1570) B vj/1, I dranke to bedwarde (as is my common gise). 1615 Markham Eng. Housew. ii. i. (1668) 47 Drink of it at night to bedward. a 1661 Fuller in H. Smith's Wks. (1867) I. 20 These sermons have been used as a handmaid to prayer bedward in some families. 1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym. 355 That may be done over night, last to bed-ward. |