adv. (a.) [f. TOWN sb. + -WARD.] Towards or in the direction of the town. (Originally to the townward.)
1434. Indenture Fotheringhey, in Dugdale, Monast. (1846), VI. 1414/2. A dore yn the west side to the town-ward.
1633. T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., II. xii. (1821), 362. The Irish beat the Spaniards from their ground to the Towneward.
1808. Scott, Marm., III. xxxi. He heard The foot-tramp of a flying steed, Come town-ward rushing on.
1846. Longf., in Life (1891), II. 52. A beautiful pile of granite looking townward and seaward.
b. adj. Going or directed toward the town.
1806. J. Grahame, Birds Scot., 35. Follow his townward steps.
1831. Newbern (NC) Sentinel, 24 Aug., 4/1.
| Than I, when near the twilight, | |
| Desires long-checkd but swelling tide | |
| Townward impels my [a musquito] dim flight, | |
| Like buring lover for his bride. |
1833. L. Ritchie, Wand. by Loire, 184. Ditches still remain on the townward side.
1864. Longf., in Life (1891), III. 34. Walking along the accustomed townward walk, I met the East Wind.
1893. Chicago Advance, 27 July. Evidence of the townward drift of the people.
c. Comb.
1870. Morris, Earthly Par., III. IV. 288. In a fair-hung townward-looking bower.