UNTOWARD

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 12 October 2011

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UNTOWARD  (adj.)

Definition(s):

1. (adj.) unruly; difficult to manage or work with
2. (adj.) marked by misfortune or unhappiness
3. (adj.) improper; unseemly
4. (adj.) awkward; clumsy

Useful information for game players:

• Front hooks: (none)
• Back hooks: (none)
• Anagrams: OUTDRAWN
• Longer extensions: untowardLY, untowardNESS, untowardNESSES
• Wraparounds: (none)
• Other Spellings: (none)
• Related Forms: TOWARD (adj.), TOWARDLY (adj.), TOWARDLINESS (n.)

Epilogue:
This word has nothing to do with the familiar meaning of TOWARD as “in the direction of.”  TOWARD was once used and can still be used to mean “compliant” or “favorable” (which is why TOWARDLY and TOWARDLINESS are valid words too).  Nowadays the negative form UNTOWARD (usually meaning “difficult, unfavorable, or improper”) is far more common.  COUTH, FLAPPABLE, GAINLY, KEMPT, REQUITED, and WIELDY are a few other words that are rarely seen without their -un prefixes — except, perhaps, on the Scrabble board where the shorter forms are more likely to make an appearance.

This week’s theme: A ruly series of words starting with the letter U

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