Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The state or character of being untoward; awkwardness; frowardness; perverseness.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun uncountable The state or condition of being
untoward . - noun countable Something untoward.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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It is gratifying, however, to find from his majesty's speech, that those appearances of hostility have ceased to exist, and that hopes are entertained that no impediment will present itself to an amicable adjustment of the question; this, however, does not deprive the transaction of the character of "untowardness" which it originally possessed.
Maxims and Opinions of Field-Marshal His Grace the Duke of Wellington, Selected From His Writings and Speeches During a Public Life of More Than Half a Century Arthur Wellesley Wellington 1810
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Her idea was that all her misery had come from the untowardness of the meeting.
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They all talked to her as though she was simply obstinate and a fool, not perceiving, as she did herself, that the untowardness of her fortune had prescribed this destiny for her.
Lady Anna 2004
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Arabella, with many expressions of thanks and a good-humoured countenance, left the room, cursing the untowardness of her fate which would let nothing run smooth.
The American Senator 2004
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At length, quite humbled by the untowardness of my circumstances, I asked for a pot of beer, and that they did vouchsafe to give me, for ready money only; but a bit of bread to eat with it (for which also I would willingly have paid) they peremptorily refused me.
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But being at once charged with both these misadventures, — untowardness in expression, and weakness in the proof of a plain truth, I shall willingly admit of information, to mend my way of writing for the future.
Of Communion with God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost 1616-1683 1965
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Not once had the untowardness of the whole proceeding struck her, nor had she given a thought to the fact that the man with her was
Leonie of the Jungle Joan Conquest
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Affliction shall be a means to bring many to Christ, a complaint of the untowardness of the Jews.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete The Challoner Revision Anonymous
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But with regard to his daughter, he expressed a very great dislike to her behaviour, and said her conduct had been such as forced her husband to leave her; and that though he had treated her with the greatest kindness and affection, yet such was the untowardness of her disposition that he had received but very sorry returns.
Lives of the Most Remarkable Criminals Who have been Condemned and Executed for Murder, the Highway, Housebreaking, Street Robberies, Coining or other offences Arthur L. Hayward
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Affliction shall be a means to bring many to Christ, a complaint of the untowardness of the Jews.
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