withershins
[ with-er-shinz ]
/ ˈwɪð ərˌʃɪnz /
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adverb Chiefly Scot.
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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Also wid·der·shins [wid-er-shinz] /ˈwɪd ərˌʃɪnz/ .
Compare deasil.
Words nearby withershins
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for withershins
British Dictionary definitions for withershins
withershins
widdershins
/ (ˈwɪðəˌʃɪnz, Scottish ˈwɪðər-) /
adverb mainly Scot
in the direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun; anticlockwise
in a direction contrary to the usual; in the wrong directionCompare deasil
Word Origin for withershins
C16: from Middle Low German weddersinnes, from Middle High German, literally: opposite course, from wider against + sinnes, genitive of sin course
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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