n. [ OE., fr. AS. foreweard; fore before + weard a ward. See Ward, n. ] An agreement; a covenant; a promise. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Tell us a tale anon, as forward is. Chaucer.

a. 1. Near, or at the fore part; in advance of something else; as, the forward gun in a ship, or the forward ship in a fleet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Ready; prompt; strongly inclined; in an ill sense, overready; too hasty. [ 1913 Webster ]

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. Gal. ii. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor do we find him forward to be sounded. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Ardent; eager; earnest; in an ill sense, less reserved or modest than is proper; bold; confident; as, the boy is too forward for his years. [ 1913 Webster ]

I have known men disagreeably forward from their shyness. T. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; as, the grass is forward, or forward for the season; we have a forward spring. [ 1913 Webster ]

The most forward bud
Is eaten by the canker ere it blow. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Forwarded; p. pr. & vb. n. Forwarding. ] 1. To help onward; to advance; to promote; to accelerate; to quicken; to hasten; as, to forward the growth of a plant; to forward one in improvement. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To send forward; to send toward the place of destination; to transmit; as, to forward a letter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who forwards or promotes; a promoter. Udall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who sends forward anything; specifically, (Com.) one who transmits goods; a forwarding merchant, such as a freight forwarder. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

3. (Bookbinding) One employed in forwarding. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of one who forwards; the act or occupation of transmitting merchandise or other property for others. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bookbinding) The process of putting a book into its cover, and making it ready for the finisher. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. planning for the future; concerned primarily with the future; -- contrasted with conern for the immediate present or reacting to past events. backward-looking [ PJC ]

adv. Eagerly; hastily; obtrusively. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being forward; cheerful readiness; promtness; as, the forwardness of Christians in propagating the gospel. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An advanced stage of progress or of preparation; advancement; as, his measures were in great forwardness. Robertson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Eagerness; ardor; as, it is difficult to restrain the forwardness of youth. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Boldness; confidence; assurance; want of due reserve or modesty. [ 1913 Webster ]

In France it is usual to bring children into company, and cherish in them, from their infancy, a kind of forwardness and assurance. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A state of advance beyond the usual degree; prematureness; precocity; as, the forwardnessof spring or of corn; the forwardness of a pupil. [ 1913 Webster ]

He had such a dexterous proclivity, as his teachers were fain to restrain his forwardness. Sir H. Wotton.

Syn. -- Promptness; promptitude; eagerness; ardor; zeal; assurance; confidence; boldness; impudence; presumption. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Same as Forward. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , adv. [ AS. forweard, foreweard; for, fore + -weardes; akin to G. vorwärts. The s is properly a genitive ending. See For, Fore, and -ward, -wards. ] Toward a part or place before or in front; onward; in advance; progressively; -- opposed to backward. [ 1913 Webster ]