Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - ward

suffix (also -wards) added to nouns of place or destination and to adverbs of direction and forming: 1 adverbs (usu. -wards) meaning 'towards the place etc.' (moving backwards; set off homewards). 2 adjectives (usu. -ward) meaning 'turned or tending towards' (a downward look; an onward rush). 3 (less commonly) nouns meaning 'the region towards or about' (look to the eastward). Etymology: from or after OE - weard f. a Gmc root meaning 'turn' WARD n. & v. --n. 1 a separate room or division of a hospital, prison, etc. (men's surgical ward). 2 a Brit. an administrative division of a constituency, usu. electing a councillor or councillors etc. b esp. US a similar administrative division. 3 a a minor under the care of a guardian appointed by the parents or a court. b (in full ward of court) a minor or mentally deficient person placed under the protection of a court. 4 (in pl.) the corresponding notches and projections in a key and a lock. 5 archaic a the act of guarding or defending a place etc. b the bailey of a castle. c a guardian's control; confinement; custody. --v.tr. archaic guard; protect. Phrases and idioms ward-heeler US a party worker in elections etc. ward off 1 parry (a blow). 2 avert (danger, poverty, etc.). Etymology: OE weard, weardian f. Gmc: cf. GUARD