Widdershins

C2 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈwɪdərʃɪnz/

Definitions of widdershins

adjective moving counterclockwise

Example Sentences

A1 The cat walked widdershins around the room.

A2 She turned the key widdershins to unlock the door.

B1 The tradition of walking widdershins around a sacred site dates back centuries.

B2 The old clock in the tower only ran widdershins.

C1 The professor's lecture on widdershins movement in folklore was fascinating.

C2 The complex dance routine required precise widdershins turns.

adverb in a direction contrary to the sun's course, considered as unlucky; counterclockwise

Example Sentences

A1 She walked widdershins around the room.

A2 The children played a game where they had to move widdershins.

B1 The hikers decided to go widdershins around the mountain for a change.

B2 The dancer spun widdershins on the stage, captivating the audience.

C1 The sailor navigated widdershins through the treacherous waters.

C2 The ancient ritual required the participants to move widdershins around the sacred circle.

Examples of widdershins in a Sentence

formal The dancer moved widdershins around the maypole during the traditional ceremony.

informal She walked widdershins around the block to avoid running into her ex-boyfriend.

slang I heard he was going widdershins on the dance floor last night.

figurative The company's profits seemed to be going widdershins despite their efforts to turn things around.

Grammatical Forms of widdershins

past tense

widdershinned

plural

widdershins

comparative

more widdershins

superlative

most widdershins

present tense

widdershins

future tense

will widdershins

perfect tense

have widdershinned

continuous tense

is widdershinning

singular

widdershins

positive degree

widdershins

infinitive

to widdershins

gerund

widdershinning

participle

widdershinned

Origin and Evolution of widdershins

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Middle Low German
Story behind the word: The word 'widdershins' originated from Middle Low German 'weddersinnes', meaning 'against the way'. It was believed that walking counterclockwise or against the sun's path was unlucky or evil.
Evolution of the word: Over time, 'widdershins' evolved to also mean 'in a left-handed or contrary direction'. It is now commonly used in English to describe movements or actions that are considered unconventional or contrary to the usual way.