See Also: widdershins(dictionary)

widdershins (iou)



widdershins adverb & adjective. , (as adjective) widdershin. E16.
[Middle Low German weddersin(ne)s from Middle High German widersinnes, from wider- counter- (cf. WITHER adjective & adverb) + genit. of sin direction, way. In sense A.2 assoc. (through Scot. pronunc.) with SUN noun1.]
A. adverb.
In a direction opposite to the usual one; the wrong way round. Freq. in stand widdershins, start widdershins, (of hair) stand on end. E16.
In a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun (considered unlucky or associated with occult rites); anticlockwise. M16.
b. adjective. Moving etc. in a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun; unlucky, relating to the occult. M18.