widdershins

with·er·shins

W w

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [with -er-shinz]
- /ˈwɪð ərˌʃɪnz/
- /wˈɪdəʃˌɪnz/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [with -er-shinz]
- /ˈwɪð ərˌʃɪnz/

Definitions of widdershins word

adverb widdershins 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. 1
noun widdershins In a direction contrary to the sun’s course, considered as unlucky; counterclockwise. 1
adverb widdershins in a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun 0

See all 3 definitions of widdershins

Information block about the term

Origin of widdershins

First appearance:

before 1505

One of the 26% oldest English words

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

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Widdershins

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Widdershins

widdershins popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 36% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

widdershins usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer