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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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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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 )
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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
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Example Sentences

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

It is a rough insulated mass, of considerable dimensions, and it is held unlucky to ride thrice withershins around it.

But this is telling our tale "withershins about," as they say in Netherby.

Mr. German Doustercivil, the agent at Glen-Withershins mining-works.

To go round the person in the opposite direction, or “withershins,” is an evil incantation and brings ill-fortune.

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withersWitherspoon