different between indirection vs towards

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??nd????k??n/, /??nd????k??n/, /??nda????k??n/

Noun

indirection (countable and uncountable, plural indirections)

1. A lack of direction; deviousness or aimlessness.
2. (programming) Use of a variable or object through its address.
3. An indirect action or process.

English

Etymology

From Middle English towardes, from Old English t?weardes, t?wærdes, equivalent to toward +? -s.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /t??w??dz/, [t????w??dz]
• (General American) IPA^(key): /t??w??dz/, /?t??dz/, /?to??dz/, [t????w???d?z], [t?w????d?z]
• (General New Zealand) IPA^(key): /t??wo?dz/, [t????wo?dz], [t?w?o?dz]
• Hyphenation: to?wards

Preposition

towards

1. Alternative form of toward

   Synonym: toward

   Antonyms: fromward, fromwards

   • 1835, Sir John Ross, Sir James Clark Ross, Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-west Passage …, Volume 1, pp.284-5

     Towards the following morning, the thermometer fell to 5°; and at daylight, there was not an atom of water to be seen in any direction.

Usage notes

• Although some have tried to discern a semantic distinction between the words toward and towards, the only difference in practice is dialectal. Toward is more common in American English and towards is more common in British English, though each form may be found in both varieties.

Translations

See also

• See w:Adverbial genitive

Adverb

towards (not comparable)

1. In the direction of something (indicated by context).

Adjective

towards (not comparable)

1. Near; at hand; in state of preparation; toward.

Middle English

Preposition

towards

1. Alternative form of towardes