The word "looked toward" can be broken down into three syllables: "looked" has a long "oo" sound, represented by /lʊkt/ in IPA transcription, while "toward" has a short "o" sound, represented by /ˈtɔːrd/. The spelling of this phrase follows the usual conventions of English spelling, with the "oo" sound in "looked" being represented by a combination of the letters "oo". The short "o" sound in "toward" is represented by the combination of letters "o" and "w".
Looked toward refers to the act of directing one's gaze, attention, or focus in a specific direction or towards a particular object, person, or event. It indicates the action of turning one's eyes, head, or body to face or aim towards a specific point, either physically or metaphorically.
In a literal sense, looking toward can involve physically turning one's eyes to focus on something that has captured their curiosity, interest, or is within their line of sight. For example, if someone is walking and suddenly sees an interesting store display, they may stop and look toward it to examine it more closely.
Metaphorically, looked toward can refer to directing one's attention, aspirations, or expectations towards something in the future. This may involve setting goals or targets and making efforts to achieve them. For instance, a student might look toward a successful career by dedicating their time to studying and acquiring relevant skills.
Additionally, looked toward can imply seeking guidance, advice, or support from someone considered to be an authority, mentor, or role model. It suggests relying on their wisdom, knowledge, or expertise to make informed decisions or gain insight in a particular area of interest.
Overall, looked toward encompasses the actions of focusing one's sight, attention, or aspirations on a desired point or objective, whether it means physically directing one's eyes or mentally aligning one's thoughts and objectives towards a particular goal.
The etymology of the phrase "looked toward" can be understood by examining the origins of each individual word.
1. Looked: The word "looked" comes from the Middle English word "loken", which means "to look, gaze, or behold". It can be traced back to the Old English word "locian". This word ultimately derives from the Proto-Germanic root "lōkōną", meaning "to observe" or "to see".
2. Toward: The word "toward" is derived from the Old English word "tōweard", which combines "tō" ("to" or "in the direction of") and "weard" ("ward" or "toward"). The word "weard" is related to the Old Norse word "verðr" and the German word "werd".