FOR'WARDNESS, noun

1. Cheerful readiness; promptness. It expresses more than willingness. We admire the forwardness of christians in propagating the gospel.

2. Eagerness; ardor. It is sometimes 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.

4. A state of advance beyond the usual degree; as the forwardness of spring or of corn.