withershins

American  

[with-er-shinz] / ˈwɪð ərˌʃɪnz /

Also widdershins

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.

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withershins British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of withershins

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. )

Example Sentences

"Bid Iceshogels hammer red gauds on the studdy, And fair simmer mornings nae mair appear ruddy: Leave thee, leave thee, I'll never leave thee; The starns shall gang withershins ere I deceive thee."

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Hislop, Alexander

To move against the sun was improper and productive of evil consequences, and the name given to this direction of movement was withershins.

From Folk Lore Superstitious Beliefs in the West of Scotland within This Century by Napier, James

Arrived at the kirk, they paced around it withershins, that is, in reverse of the apparent motion of the sun.

From Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 2 by Mackay, Charles

The world swayed round me and the green trees ran withershins about.

From The Men of the Moss-Hags Being a history of adventure taken from the papers of William Gordon of Earlstoun in Galloway by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

Witches in their dances and other pranks, always, it was said, went withershins.

From Folk Lore Superstitious Beliefs in the West of Scotland within This Century by Napier, James