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withershins

 - 3 dictionary results

with⋅er⋅shins

[with-er-shinz]
–adverb Chiefly Scot.
in a direction contrary to the natural one, esp. contrary to the apparent course of the sun or counterclockwise: considered as unlucky or causing disaster.
Compare deasil.


Origin:
1505–15; < MLG weddersin(ne)s < MHG widdersinnes, equiv. to wider (OHG widar) opposite (see with ) + sinnes, gen. of sin way, course (c. OE sīth); see send, -s 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To withershins
wid·der·shins   (wĭd'ər-shĭnz')   
adv.  In a contrary or counterclockwise direction: "The coracle whirled round, clockwise, then widdershins" (Anthony Bailey).

[Middle Low German weddersinnes, from Middle High German widersinnes : wider, back (from Old High German widar; see wi- in Indo-European roots) + sinnes, in the direction of (from sin, direction, from Old High German; see sent- in Indo-European roots).]
with·er·shins   (wĭth'ər-shĭnz')   
adv.  Variant of widdershins.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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