Crossword clues for forwardness
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Forwardness \For"ward*ness\, n. The quality of being forward; cheerful readiness; promtness; as, the forwardness of Christians in propagating the gospel.
2. An advanced stage of progress or of preparation;
advancement; as, his measures were in great forwardness.
--Robertson.
3. Eagerness; ardor; as, it is difficult to restrain the forwardness of youth.
3. Boldness; confidence; assurance; want of due reserve or modesty.
In France it is usual to bring children into
company, and cherish in them, from their infancy, a
kind of forwardness and assurance.
--Addison.
5. A state of advance beyond the usual degree; prematureness; precocity; as, the forwardnessof spring or of corn; the forwardness of a pupil.
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.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1520s, "condition of being in advance," from forward + -ness. Meaning "presumptuousness" is from c.1600. Old English foreweardness meant "a beginning."
Wiktionary
n. The quality of being forward.
WordNet
n. offensive assertiveness [syn: bumptiousness, cockiness, pushiness]
Usage examples of "forwardness".
I mentioned a certain authour who disgusted me by his forwardness, and by shewing no deference to noblemen into whose company he was admitted.
I was scarce twelve years old before that part which she wanted so much to keep out of harm's way made me feel its impatience to be taken notice of, and come into play: al-ready had it put forth the signs of forwardness in the sprout of a soft down over it, which had often flatter'd, and I might also say, grown under my constant touch and visitation, so pleas'd was I with what I took to be a kind of title to womanhood, that state I pin'd to be entr'd of, for the pleasures I conceiv'd were annexed to it.