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.

Origin of withershins

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” (see with) + sinnes, genitive of sin “way, course” (cognate with Old English sīth ); see send¹, -s¹;contrasted with deasil

Words nearby withershins

wither, witherite, withe rod, wither on the vine, withers, withershins, Witherspoon, eyes open, with, with flying colors, pass with, with good grace, half a heart, with

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use withershins in a sentence

Having arrived at their rendezvous, they danced round it ‘withershins’—that is, in reverse of the apparent motion of the sun.
Witch, Warlock, and Magician|William Henry Davenport Adams
It is a rough insulated mass, of considerable dimensions, and it is held unlucky to ride thrice withershins around it.
Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border Volume III (of 3)|Walter Scott
But this is telling our tale "withershins about," as they say in Netherby.
Cleg Kelly, Arab of the City|S. R. (Samuel Rutherford) Crockett
Mr. German Doustercivil, the agent at Glen-Withershins mining-works.
The Antiquary, Complete|Sir Walter Scott

To go round the person in the opposite direction, or “withershins,” is an evil incantation and brings ill-fortune.
The Kath Sarit Sgara|Somadeva Bhatta

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012