'leftwardly' originates from the English word 'leftward', with the suffix '-ly' added to form an adverbial or adjectival meaning.

'leftward' changed from the Old English word 'lyft' meaning 'weak' or 'foolish', eventually becoming associated with the direction 'left'.

Initially, 'left' was associated with weakness or foolishness, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a direction opposite to 'right'.