withershins

American  

[with-er-shinz] / ˈwɪð ərˌʃɪnz /

Also widdershins

adverb

Chiefly Scot.

1. 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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withershins British  

/ ˈwɪðəˌʃɪnz, ˈwɪðər- /

adverb

1. in the direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun; anticlockwise

2. in a direction contrary to the usual; in the wrong direction Compare deasil

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Etymology

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 send ¹, -s ¹; contrasted with deasil ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

withershins

Witches in their dances and other pranks, always, it was said, went withershins.

From Folk Lore Superstitious Beliefs in the West of Scotland within This Century by James Napier

For each group of arches come later than the last in the order of sculpture, and the sculptors during those 300 years went withershins as should you.

From Hills and the Sea by Hilaire Belloc

But the weary wind began to rise,   The sea began to rout, And my luve and his bonny ship   Turned withershins about.

From Ballad Book by Katherine Lee Bates

Arrived at the kirk, they paced around it withershins, that is, in reverse of the apparent motion of the sun.

From Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 2 by Charles Mackay

"Bid Iceshogels hammer red gauds on the studdy, And fair simmer mornings nae mair appear ruddy: Leave thee, leave thee, I'll never leave thee; The starns shall gang withershins ere I deceive thee."

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Alexander Hislop