withershins, widdershins, adv. dial. (chiefly Sc.).
(ˈwɪðə-, ˈwɪdəʃɪnz)
Forms: 6– widder-, 7– wither-, (6 widdir-, weddir-, wod(d)er-, 6, 9 wooder-); 6–9 -sins, 6– -shins, (6 -syns, -shynes, -shynnis, -son(n)is, 6, 9 -sinnis, -sones, 7 -shines, 9 -schynnes).
[a. MLG. weddersin(ne)s (cf. wedersins ‘contrario modo’, Kilian), a. MHG. widersinnes, f. wider- wither-1 + gen. of sin (esp. MG.) = sind, sint way, direction (see sithe n.1): cf. MHG. widersinnen to return. In sense 2 associated with son, sun n.1]
† 1. In a direction opposite to the usual; the wrong way; to stand withershins or start withershins, (of the hair) to ‘stand on end’. Obs.
| 1513 Douglas æneis ii. xii. 26 Abaisit I wolx, and widdersyns start my hair. Ibid. Directioun of Buik 29 And on the bak half writis widdirsinnis Plentie of lesyngis. 1570 R. Bannatyne Mem. (Bannatyne Cl.) 11 That will gar thair hartis trumbill, and thair hair stand widdirshynes. 1583 Leg. Bp. St. Androis 704 Ane porter..to the bischop his blissing gave, Betuixt the schoulders a royall route, Turning him wodderschins about. a 1583 Montgomerie Flyting 580 Hairis blavin widdersins abauk. a 1600 ― Sonn. xxxiii. 6 Sho..straikit bakuard wodershins my hair. 1685 G. Sinclair Satans Invis. World 211 His hair standing Widdershins in his head. 1721 Ramsay I'll never leave v, The Starns shall gang withershins e'er I deceive thee. |
2. In a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun (considered as unlucky or causing disaster).
| 1545 Rec. Elgin (New Spalding Club 1903) I. 84 Sayand the said Margarat Baffour vas ane huyr and ane wyche and that sche ȝeid widersonnis about mennis hous sark alane. a 1583 Montgomerie Flyting 418 Thir venerabill virginis quhome ȝe wald call wiches..nyne tymes, wirdersones, about the thorne raid. 1596 Spalding Club Misc. (1841) I. 96, I find it wilbe ane deir yeir; the bled of the corne growis withersones; and quhan it growis sonegatis about, it wilbe ane gude chaip yeir. 1597 Ibid. 190 He is indyttit..to haue taine ane birne of the corne on his bak, and careit it thrie tymmis woodersonis abowe the kill. 1685 G. Sinclair Satans Invis. World 25 [In a witch-dance] the men turned nine times Widder-shines about, and the Women six times. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Sheph. ii. ii, Mausy..Rins withershins about the Hemlock Low. 1825 Scott Talism. xxviii, While the challenger rode around the lists in the course of the sun..the defender made the same circuit widdersins. 1840 New Statist. Acc. Scot. (1845) XV. 141 The fishermen, when about to proceed to the fishing, think they would have bad luck, if they were to row the boat ‘withershins’ about. 1903 Kipling Five Nations 10 So, widdershins circling the bridebed of death, Each fleereth her neighbour. |