withershins

withershins
/widh"euhr shinz'/, adv. 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.
Also, widdershins. Cf. deasil.
[1505-15; < MLG weddersin(ne)s < MHG widdersinnes, equiv. to wider (OHG widar) opposite (see WITH) + sinnes, gen. of sin way, course (c. OE sith); see SEND, -S1]

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • withershins — [with′ər shinz΄] adv. var. of WIDDERSHINS …   English World dictionary

  • withershins — variant of widdershins …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • withershins — adverb Anti clockwise, in the contrary direction, especially to the left or opposite to the direction of the sun. Ant: deiseal …   Wiktionary

  • withershins — [ wɪδəʃɪnz] adverb variant spelling of widdershins …   English new terms dictionary

  • withershins — with•er•shins [[t]ˈwɪð ərˌʃɪnz[/t]] also widdershins adv. scot. in a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun; counterclockwise Compare deasil Etymology: 1505–15; < MLG weddersin(ne) s < MHG widdersinnes < wider (OHG widar)… …   From formal English to slang

  • withershins — /ˈwɪðəʃɪnz/ (say widhuhshinz) adverb → widdershins …  

  • withershins —    see widdershins …   A Dictionary of English folklore

  • withershins —   adv. adv. widdershins …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • withershins — adv. (also widdershins) esp. Sc. 1 in a direction contrary to the sun s course (considered as unlucky). 2 anticlockwise. Etymology: MLG weddersins f. MHG widdersinnes f. wider against + sin direction …   Useful english dictionary

  • widdershins —    , withershins    This word, a Scottish and northern English term meaning against the sun, counter clockwise , is used for *leftward circling movement, especially in the context of magical action, where such movement is thought unlucky, or… …   A Dictionary of English folklore

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