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.
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, -s1
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.