▪ I. ˈdoorward, n. arch.
Also 4 durward, -warth.
[f. OE. weard warden, keeper.]
A door-keeper, porter, janitor. An official title under the early Scottish monarchy; = warder of the palace.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. John x. 3 Ðissum ðe duruard [Ags. Gosp. ᵹeatweard] ontyneð. c 1000 ælfric Past. Ep. ¶34 in Thorpe Laws II. 378 (Bosw.-T.) Ostiarius is duruweard. c 1205 Lay. 17672 He wende to þan berhȝate..and gratte þene dureward. 1340 Ayenb. 121 Þe yefþe of drede is þe doreward to þe greate þreste. 1375 Barbour Bruce iii. 101 Thar surname wes makyne-drosser; That is al-so mekill to say her As ‘the Durwarth sonnys’ perfay. 1605 Camden Rem. (1637) 126 Dooreward, that is, Porter. 1828–40 Tytler Hist. Scot. (1879) I. 248 The Chamberlain, and the hostiarius or doorward. 1867 Burton Hist. Scot. II. 213 Nicholas de Soulis, descended of the marriage of Marjory, a natural daughter of Alexander II, to Alan the Durward. |
▪ II. ˈdoorward, -wards, adv. (a.)
[see -ward.]
Towards the door.
| c 1400 Beryn 477 And drowȝe to Kittis dorward to herken and to list. 1838 D. Jerrold Men of Char. i. (Hoppe), His landlord began to cast significant glances doorwards. |