What does "forwardness" mean?

Forwardness: An advanced stage of progress or of preparation; advancement; as, his measures were in great forwardness. Robertson.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Eagerness; ardor; as, it is difficult to restrain the forwardness of youth.
  2. 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. Addison.
  3. 4.A state of advance beyond the usual degree; prematureness; precocity; as, the forwardnessof spring or of corn; the forwardness of a pupil. He had such a dexterous proclivity, as his teachers were fain to restrain his forwardness. Sir H. Wotton.

Sources