† overward, adv. and prep. Obs.
[In form = over adv. + -ward; but app. perverted from overthwart; cf. the variant overwart.]
A. adv. In a direction over or across a surface, an intervening space, etc.; across, transversely.
| c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 268/246 He ne miȝte finde no schip, him ouer for-to lede. he sat and weop and bi-heold ouerward. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. v. 128 And alle rome-renners..Bere no suluer ouer see..Vp forfeture of þe fee he so fynt hym ouerwarde. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. iii. 139 (Colch. MS.) Overward [Fitzw. MS. orthward, i.e. o'erthwart] and afterlonge extende a lyne. |
B. prep. Across, from side to side of, athwart.
| 1486 Bk. St. Albans A viij b, Ther gooth blacke barris ouerwarde the tayle. |