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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

1505–15; <Middle Low German weddersin(ne)s<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

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