adv. Now arch. [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.
