withershins

[ with-er-shinz ]

adverb

, Chiefly Scot.

1. in a direction contrary to the natural one, especially contrary to the apparent course of the sun or counterclockwise: considered as unlucky or causing disaster.

withershins

/ ˈwɪðər-; ˈwɪðəˌʃɪnz /

adverb

1. in the direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun; anticlockwise
2. in a direction contrary to the usual; in the wrong direction Compare deasil

Word History and Origins

Origin of withershins¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Middle Low German weddersin(ne)s, from Middle High German widdersinnes, equivalent to wider ( Old High German widar ) “opposite” ( with ) + sinnes, genitive of sin “way, course” (cognate with Old English sīth ); send ¹, -s ¹; deasil ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of withershins¹

C16: from Middle Low German weddersinnes, from Middle High German, literally: opposite course, from wider against + sinnes, genitive of sin course

Example Sentences

"Withershins" and "The Psychedelic Gedankenexperiment" will be on display through Sept.

From Seattle Times

Having arrived at their rendezvous, they danced round it ‘withershins’—that is, in reverse of the apparent motion of the sun.

From Project Gutenberg

Withershins, Widdershins, with′-, wid′ėr-shinz, adv.

From Project Gutenberg

A weak man like his learned brother Withershins was not a judge to keep the high-roads safe, and make crime tremble.

From Project Gutenberg

The dancers join hands and dance in a circle from west to east, in a contrary direction to the sun's movements—withershins as the Scots peasants have it.

From Project Gutenberg