usward, adv. Now arch.
(ˈʌswəd)
[f. us. See -ward, toward, and cf. her-, him-, meward.]
Orig. (and chiefly) to usward, = toward us. Also from usward.
| (a) c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. i. §17 Thanne bygynnyth the sonne to come agayn to vs-ward. 1420 in Rymer Fœdera (1709) IX. 907/1 The Letters..enseled undir the Grete Seel of our said Fader to usward, and under Ours to hymward. 1451 Paston Lett. I. 202 The baly..knewe not..what myn unkyll was to us ward. 1529 Frith Pistle to Chr. Reader 4 b, In kindnes to vsward thorow Christ Jesus. 1611 Bible Ps. xl. 5 Many..are..thy thoughts, which are to vs ward. 1642 J. Eaton Honey-comb Free Justif. 344 Mystically to us-ward, and inwardly and spiritually to God-ward. 1650 Metr. Psalms Ch. Scotl. cxvii. 2 For great to us-ward ever are his loving kindnesses. 1779 J. Brown in R. Mackenzie Life (1918) 220 How kind His thoughts to usward! 1809 Cobbett Pol. Reg. 22 April 618 To us-ward, both Parties are as much alike as two peas. 1881 Swinburne Mary Stuart i. ii, From France our friends Lift up their heads to usward. |
| (b) 1603 J. Davies Microcosm. 37 Sol..makes vs heavie going from vs-ward. 1902 Westm. Gaz. 8 Aug. 1/3 She went her way from usward. |
b. With ellipse of
prep.| 1871 Swinburne Songs bef. Sunrise, Eve Revolution 70 Thy vesture wrought of ages legendary Hides usward thine impenetrable sleep. |