Etymology

inward

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Today it means: Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside. Full definition →

First used 9th c.Middle English inward ← Old English inweard
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The story

  1. Old English · inherited frominweard
  2. Middle English · inherited frominward
  3. English todayinward

From Middle English inward, from Old English inweard, corresponding to in + -ward.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 9th c. Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside.
  • 16th–17th c. Intimate, closely acquainted; familiar, close.
  • from 11th c. Towards the inside.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.