Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TO'WARD, prep. [Sax. toward; to and ward, weard; L. versus, verto.]

1. In the direction to. He set his face toward the wilderness. Numb. xxiv.
2. With direction to, in a moral sense; with respect to; regarding. His eye shall be evil toward his brother. Deut. xxviii. Herein do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. Acts xxiv. Hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus Christ, and toward all saints. Philemon 5.
3. With ideal tendency to. This was the first alarm England received toward any trouble. Clarendon.
4. Nearly. I am toward nine years older since I left you. Swift.