Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FOR'WARD, a.

1. Near or at the forepart; in advance of something else; as, the forward gun in a ship, or the forward ship in fleet; the forward horse in a team.
2. Ready; prompt; strongly inclined. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. Gal. ii.
3. Ardent; eager; earnest; violent. Or lead the forward youth to noble war. Prior.
4. Bold; confident; less reserved or modest than is proper; in an ill sense; as, the boy is too forward for his years.
5. Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season. The grass or the grain is forward, or forward the season; we have a forward spring.
6. Quick; hasty; too ready. Be not forward to speak in public. Prudence directs that we be not too forward to believe current reports.
7. Anterior; fore. Let us take the instant by the forward top. – Shak.
8. Advanced; not behindhand. – Shak.